Colored curable composition, method for producing color filter, color filter, solid-state image pickup device, and liquid crystal display device

ABSTRACT

A colored curable composition including at least (A-1) a complex including a compound represented by the following formula (I) and a metal atom or a metal compound, (A-2) a phthalocyanine pigment, (B) a dispersing agent, (C) a polymerizable compound, (D) a photopolymerization initiator, and (E) an organic solvent: 
                         
wherein R 1  to R 6  each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and R 7  represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese PatentApplication No. 2009-087654 filed on Mar. 31, 2009, Japanese PatentApplication No. 2009-117911 filed on May 14, 2009, Japanese PatentApplication No. 2009-136012 filed on Jun. 5, 2009, and Japanese PatentApplication No. 2010-011840 filed on Jan. 22, 2010, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a colored curable composition, a methodfor producing a color filter, a color filter, and a solid-state imagepickup device and a liquid crystal display device including the colorfilter.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a method for preparing a color filter to be used for a liquid crystaldisplay device (such as a LCD) and a solid-state image pickup device(such as a CCD or a CMOS), a pigment dispersing method has been widelyknown.

The pigment dispersing method is a method for preparing a color filterby a photolithographic method using colored photosensitive compositionsin which pigments are dispersed in various photosensitive compositions.Since patterning is performed by a photolithographic method, this methodis considered to be a preferable method for preparing a color filterhaving high positional accuracy, a large area and high definition. Whena color filter is prepared by the pigment dispersing method, a coatingis formed by applying a photosensitive composition on a glass substrateusing a spin coater, a roll coater or the like, colored pixels areformed by pattern-exposing and developing the coating, and a colorfilter is obtained by repeating these operations for each color.

As an example of a colored photosensitive composition using a pigment, ablue-colored composition for a color filter including a phthalocyaninepigment as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No.2001-33616 has been known.

When a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or asolid-state image pickup device is prepared by providing a color filterusing a pigment, a pigment having a finer particle size is required inview of improvement of contrast. This is due to a factor that apolarization axis is rotated by scattering, birefringence and the likeof light by a pigment. When refinement of a pigment is insufficient,light is scattered and absorbed by the pigment, whereby lighttransmittance is decreased, contrast is decreased, and curingsensitivity during pattern exposing is decreased.

In particular, higher definition has been recently desired for a colorfilter for a solid-state image pickup device, but further improvement ofresolution is difficult in a conventionally-used pigment dispersionsystem under the present circumstances. Namely, there are problems inthat unevenness of color is caused by the effect of coarse particles inthe pigment, and the like. Therefore, the pigment dispersion system isnot suitable for applications in which a fine pattern having a pixelsize of 1.5 to 3.0 μm-square is required such as a solid-state imagepickup device.

In response to such circumstances, a technique using a dye instead of apigment has conventionally been suggested. However, dyes have been knownto be generally inferior to pigments in light resistance and heatresistance, and sometimes problematic in view of performance of a colorfilter. Furthermore, dyes have problems in that they have low solubilityin a photosensitive composition, and in that they have low stabilityover time and precipitate in the state of a liquid preparation or acoating film.

In response to these problems, a colored curable composition using a dyeincluding a dipyrromethene compound and a phthalocyanine dye incombination, which has excellent storage stability and is capable offorming a color filter having high light resistance, has been suggested(see, for example, JP-A No. 2008-292970).

Furthermore, a colored curable composition including a dye and a pigmentin combination has also been known (see, for example, US PatentApplication Publication No. 2008/0171271).

As mentioned above, with respect to a colored curable compositionincluding a dye, it has been known that an effect that a color filterhaving excellent storage stability and high light resistance may beformed is obtained by selecting a dye to be used. However, under thepresent circumstances, further improvement of this effect is desired forhigher definition and improved performance of a color filter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a coloredcurable composition comprising at least (A-1) a complex comprising acompound represented by the following formula (I) and a metal atom or ametal compound, (A-2) a phthalocyanine pigment, (B) a dispersing agent,(C) a polymerizable compound, (D) a photopolymerization initiator, and(E) an organic solvent:

wherein R¹ to R⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or asubstituent; and R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkylgroup, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

<<Colored Curable Composition>>

First, the colored curable composition of the present invention isexplained.

The colored curable composition of the invention is a colored curablecomposition including at least (A-1) a complex including a compoundrepresented by the formula (I) and a metal atom or a metal compound,(A-2) a phthalocyanine pigment, (B) a dispersing agent, (C) apolymerizable compound, (D) a photopolymerization initiator, and (E) anorganic solvent.

The components (A-1), (A-2), (B), (C), (D) and (E) are explained below.

[(A-1) A Complex Including a Compound Represented by the Formula (I) anda Metal Atom or a Metal Compound]

The colored curable composition of the invention includes (A-1) acomplex including a compound represented by the formula (I) and a metalatom or a metal compound (hereinafter suitably referred to as “specificcomplex”) as one of colorants. The specific complex usually includes acompound represented by the formula (I) in deprotonated form.

—Dipyrromethene Compound—

First, the compound represented by the formula (I) which is included inthe specific complex is explained.

In the formula (I), R¹ to R⁶ each independently represent a hydrogenatom or a substituent, and R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogenatom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

Examples of the substituent represented by R¹ to R⁶ in the formula (I)include the monovalent groups as shown below (hereinafter the group ofthe listed monovalent groups is sometimes collectively referred to as“Substituent R”).

Namely, the examples include a halogen atom (e.g., a fluorine atom, achlorine atom, a bromine atom), an alkyl group (a straight chain,branched chain or cyclic alkyl group having preferably 1 to 48, morepreferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a methyl group, an ethyl group,a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, a t-butyl group, apentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a2-ethylhexyl group, a dodecyl group, a hexadecyl group, a cyclopropylgroup, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a 1-norbornyl group anda 1-adamantyl group), an alkenyl group (an alkenyl group havingpreferably 2 to 48, more preferably 2 to 18 carbon atoms, such as avinyl group, an allyl group and a 3-buten-1-yl group), an aryl group (anaryl group having preferably 6 to 48, more preferably 6 to 24 carbonatoms, such as a phenyl group and a naphthyl group), a heterocyclicgroup (a heterocyclic group having preferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1to 18 carbon atoms, such as a 2-thienyl group, a 4-pyridyl group, a2-furyl group, a 2-pyrimidinyl group, a 1-pyridyl group, a2-benzothiazolyl group, a 1-imidazolyl group, a 1-pyrazolyl group and abenzotriazol-1-yl group), a silyl group (a silyl group having preferably3 to 38, more preferably 3 to 18 carbon atoms, such as a trimethylsilylgroup, a triethylsilyl group, a tributylsilyl group, at-butyldimethylsilyl group and a t-hexyldimethylsilyl group), a hydroxylgroup, a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkoxy group (an alkoxy grouphaving preferably 1 to 48, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such asa methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a 1-butoxy group, a 2-butoxy group, anisopropoxy group, a t-butoxy group, a dodecyloxy group, andcycloalkyloxy groups including a cyclopentyloxy group and acyclohexyloxy group), an aryloxy group (an aryloxy group havingpreferably 6 to 48, more preferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, such as aphenoxy group and a 1-naphthoxy group), a heterocycleoxy group (aheterocycleoxy group having preferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1 to 18carbon atoms, such as a 1-phenyltetrazole-5-oxy group and a2-tetrahydropyranyloxy group), a silyloxy group (a silyloxy group havingpreferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such as atrimethylsilyloxy group, a t-butyldimethylsilyloxy group and adiphenylmethylsilyloxy group), an acyloxy group (an acyloxy group havingpreferably 2 to 48, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, such as anacetoxy group, a pivaloyloxy group, a benzoyloxy group and adodecanoyloxy group), an alkoxycarbonyloxy group (an alkoxycarbonyloxygroup having preferably 2 to 48, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms,such as an ethoxycarbonyloxy group, a t-butoxycarbonyloxy group, and acycloalkyloxycarbonyloxy group, such as a cyclohexyloxycarbonyloxygroup), an aryloxycarbonyloxy group (an aryloxycarbonyloxy group havingpreferably 7 to 32, more preferably 7 to 24 carbon atoms, such as aphenoxycarbonyloxy group), a carbamoyloxy group (a carbamoyloxy grouphaving preferably 1 to 48, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such asan N,N-dimethylcarbamoyloxy group, an N-butylcarbamoyloxy group, anN-phenylcarbamoyloxy group and an N-ethyl-N-phenylcarbamoyloxy group), asulfamoyloxy group (a sulfamoyloxy group including preferably 1 to 32,more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as an N,N-diethylsulfamoyloxygroup and an N-propylsulfamoyloxy group), an alkylsulfonyloxy group (analkylsulfonyloxy group having preferably 1 to 38, more preferably 1 to24 carbon atoms, such as a methylsulfonyloxy group, ahexadecylsulfonyloxy group and a cyclohexylsulfonyloxy group),

an arylsulfonyloxy group (an arylsulfonyloxy group having preferably 6to 32, more preferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a phenylsulfonyloxygroup), an acyl group (an acyl group having preferably 1 to 48, morepreferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a formyl group, an acetylgroup, a pivaloyl group, a benzoyl group, a tetradecanoyl group and acyclohexanoyl group), an alkoxycarbonyl group (an alkoxycarbonyl grouphaving preferably 2 to 48, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, such asa methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonyl group, anoctadecyloxycarbonyl group, a cyclohexyloxycarbonyl group and a2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylcyclohexyloxycarbonyl group), anaryloxycarbonyl group (an aryloxycarbonyl group having preferably 7 to32, more preferably 7 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a phenoxycarbonylgroup), a carbamoyl group (a carbamoyl group having preferably 1 to 48,more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a carbamoyl group, anN,N-diethylcarbamoyl group, an N-ethyl-N-octylcarbamoyl group, anN,N-dibutylcarbamoyl group, an N-propylcarbamoyl group, anN-phenylcarbamoyl group, a N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl group and anN,N-dicyclohexylcarbamoyl group), an amino group (an amino group havingpreferably 32 or less, more preferably 24 or less carbon atoms, such asan amino group, a methylamino group, an N,N-dibutylamino group, atetradecylamino group, a 2-ethylhexylamino group and a cyclohexylaminogroup), an anilino group (an anilino group having preferably 6 to 32,more preferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, such as an anilino group and anN-methylanilino group), a heterocyclic amino group (a heterocyclic aminogroup having preferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms,such as a 4-pyridylamino group), a carbonamide group (a carbonamidegroup having preferably 2 to 48, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms,such as an acetamide group, a benzamide group, a tetradecanamide group,a pivaloylamide group and a cyclohexanamide group), an ureido group (anureido group having preferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1 to 24 carbonatoms, such as an ureido group, an N,N-dimethylureido group and anN-phenylureido group), an imide group (an imide group having preferably36 or less, more preferably 24 or less carbon atoms, such as anN-succinimide group and an N-phthalimide group), an alkoxycarbonylaminogroup (an alkoxycarbonylamino group having preferably 2 to 48, morepreferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a methoxycarbonylamino group,an ethoxycarbonylamino group, a t-butoxycarbonylamino group, anoctadecyloxycarbonylamino group and a cyclohexyloxycarbonylamino group),an aryloxycarbonylamino group (an aryloxycarbonylamino group havingpreferably 7 to 32, more preferably 7 to 24 carbon atoms, such as anphenoxycarbonylamino group), a sulfonamide group (a sulfonamide grouphaving preferably 1 to 48, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such asa methanesulfonamide group, a butanesulfonamide group, abenzenesulfonamide group, a hexadecanesulfonamide group and acyclohexanesulfonamide group), a sulfamoylamino group (a sulfamoylaminogroup having preferably 1 to 48, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms,such as an N,N-dipropylsulfamoylamino group and anN-ethyl-N-dodecylsulfamoylamino group), an azo group (an azo grouphaving preferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such asa phenylazo group and a 3-pyrazolylazo group),

an alkylthio group (an alkylthio group having preferably 1 to 48, morepreferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a methylthio group, anethylthio group, an octylthio group and a cyclohexylthio group), anarylthio group (an arylthio group having preferably 6 to 48, morepreferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a phenylthio group), aheterocyclic thio group (a heterocyclic thio group having preferably 1to 32, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such as a2-benzothiazolylthio group, a 2-pyridylthio group and a1-phenyltetrazolylthio group), an alkylsulfinyl group (an alkylsulfinylgroup having preferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms,such as a dodecanesulfinyl group), an arylsulfinyl group (anarylsulfinyl group having preferably 6 to 32, more preferably 6 to 24carbon atoms, such as a phenylsulfinyl group), an alkylsulfonyl group(an alkylsulfonyl group having preferably 1 to 48, more preferably 1 to24 carbon atoms, such as a methylsulfonyl group, an ethylsulfonyl group,a propylsulfonyl group, a butylsulfonyl group, an isopropylsulfonylgroup, a 2-ethylhexylsulfonyl group, a hexadecylsulfonyl group, anoctylsulfonyl group and a cyclohexylsulfonyl group), an arylsulfonylgroup (an arylsulfonyl group having preferably 6 to 48, more preferably6 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a phenylsulfonyl group and a1-naphthylsulfonyl group), a sulfamoyl group (a sulfamoyl group havingpreferably 32 or less, more preferably 24 or less carbon atoms, such asa sulfamoyl group, an N,N-dipropylsulfamoyl group, anN-ethyl-N-dodecylsulfamoyl group, an N-ethyl-N-phenylsulfamoyl group andan N-cyclohexylsulfamoyl group), a sulfo group, a phosphonyl group (aphosphonyl group having preferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1 to 24carbon atoms, such as a phenoxyphosphonyl group, an octyloxyphosphonylgroup and a phenylphosphonyl group) and a phosphinoylamino group (aphosphinoylamino group having preferably 1 to 32, more preferably 1 to24 carbon atoms, such as a diethoxyphosphinoylamino group and andioctyloxyphosphinoylamino group).

When the above-mentioned monovalent group is a group that may further besubstituted, it may further be substituted by any of the above-mentionedgroups. When the monovalent group has two or more substituents, thosesubstituents may be the same or different.

In the formula (I), R¹ and R², R² and R³, R⁴ and R⁵, and R⁵ and R⁶ eachmay independently bond to each other to form a 5-, 6- or 7-memberedring. Examples of the ring to be formed include saturated or unsaturatedrings. Examples of the 5-, 6- or 7-membered saturated or unsaturatedrings include a pyrrole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a pyrazolering, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, a thiazolering, a pyrrolidine ring, a piperidine ring, a cyclopentene ring, acyclohexene ring, a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring and apyridazine ring, preferably a benzene ring and a pyridine ring.

When the 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring to be formed is a group that mayfurther be substituted, it may be substituted by any of Substituent R,and when the ring is substituted by two or more substituents, thosesubstituent may be the same or different.

—Metal Atom or Metal Compound—

Next, the metal atom or metal compound that is included in the specificcomplex is explained.

The metal atom or metal compound as used herein may be any metal atom ormetal compound so long as it may form a complex, and examples includebivalent metal atoms, bivalent metal oxides, bivalent metal hydroxidesand bivalent metal chlorides. For example, Zn, Mg, Si, Sn, Rh, Pt, Pd,Mo, Mn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe and the like, as well as metal chloridesincluding AlCl, InCl, FeCl, TiCl₂, SnCl₂, SiCl₂ and GeCl₂, metal oxidesincluding TiO and VO, and metal hydroxides including Si(OH)₂ areincluded.

Among these, Fe, Zn, Mg, Si, Pt, Pd, Mo, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, TiO and VO arepreferable, Fe, Zn, Mg, Si, Pt, Pd, Cu, Ni, Co and VO are furtherpreferable, and Fe, Zn, Cu, Co and VO (V═O) are the most preferable inview of stability, spectral property, heat resistance, light resistance,and production suitability and the like of the complex.

A preferable embodiment of the complex including the compoundrepresented by the formula (I) and the metal atom or the metal compoundis shown below.

Namely, an embodiment in which R¹ and R⁶ each independently represent ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, aheterocyclic group, a silyl group, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, analkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a heterocyclic oxy group, an acyl group,an alkoxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an amino group, an anilinogroup, a heterocyclic amino group, a carbonamide group, an ureido group,an imide group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, an aryloxycarbonylaminogroup, a sulfonamide group, an azo group, an alkylthio group, anarylthio group, a heterocyclic thio group, an alkylsulfonyl group, anarylsulfonyl group or a phosphinoylamino group, R² and R⁵ eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group,an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a hydroxyl group,a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, aheterocyclic oxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, anaryloxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an imide group, analkoxycarbonylamino group, a sulfonamide group, an azo group, analkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclic thio group, analkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group or a sulfamoyl group, R³ andR⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, analkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, asilyl group, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, an alkoxy group, anaryloxy group, a heterocyclic oxy group, an acyl group, analkoxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an anilino group, a carbonamidegroup, an ureido group, an imide group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, asulfonamide group, an azo group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group,a heterocyclic thio group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonylgroup, a sulfamoyl group or a phosphinoylamino group, and R⁷ representsa hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or aheterocyclic group in the formula (I), and the metal atom or the metalcompound is Zn, Mg, Si, Pt, Pd, Mo, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, TiO or VO, isexemplified.

A more preferable embodiment of the complex including the compoundrepresented by the formula (I) and the metal atom or the metal compoundis shown below.

Namely, an embodiment in which R¹ and R⁶ each independently represent ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, aheterocyclic group, a cyano group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonylgroup, a carbamoyl group, an amino group, a heterocyclic amino group, acarbonamide group, an ureido group, an imide group, analkoxycarbonylamino group, an aryloxycarbonylamino group, a sulfonamidegroup, an azo group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group or aphosphinoylamino group, R² and R⁵ each independently represent an alkylgroup, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a cyanogroup, a nitro group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, anaryloxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an imide group, analkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group or a sulfamoyl group, R³ andR⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, analkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a cyano group, anacyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, a carbonamidegroup, an ureido group, an imide group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, asulfonamide group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclicthio group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group or a sulfamoylgroup, and R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkylgroup, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group in the formula (I), and themetal atom or the metal compound is Zn, Mg, Si, Pt, Pd, Cu, Ni, Co orVO, is exemplified.

A specifically preferable embodiment of the complex including thecompound represented by the formula (I) and the metal atom or the metalcompound is shown below.

Namely, an embodiment in which R¹ and R⁶ each independently represent ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, anamino group, a heterocyclic amino group, a carbonamide group, an ureidogroup, an imide group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, a sulfonamidegroup, an azo group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group or aphosphinoylamino group, R² and R⁵ each independently represent an alkylgroup, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a cyano group, an acylgroup, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylsulfonylgroup or an arylsulfonyl group, R³ and R⁴ each independently represent ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group,and R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or aheterocyclic group in the formula (I), and the metal atom or the metalcompound is Zn, Cu, Co or VO, is exemplified.

Specifically, in the formula (I), R³ and R⁴ are preferably each a phenylgroup in view of excellent toughness. The reason is considered that (1)since R³ and R⁴ are each a phenyl group, the spectrum of this compoundis shifted to longer wavelengths and overlapping with the spectrum ofthe phthalocyanine pigment that is used in combination (at around 550nm) is increased, which allows easy transfer of energy, and that (2) thetoughness of this compound itself is increased due to presence ofsterically bulky substituents.

Furthermore, in the formula (I), R² and/or R⁵ is preferably a2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylcyclohexyloxycarbonyl group in view ofexcellent solubility in solvents.

—Compound Represented by the Formula (II-1)—

One of the preferable examples of the specific complex in the inventionis the compound represented by the following formula (II-1).

In the formula (II-1), R¹ to R⁶ each independently represent a hydrogenatom or a substituent, R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, analkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocycle group, Ma represents a metalatom or a metal compound, X² represents a group that is necessary forneutralizing the charge of Ma, and X¹ represents a group capable ofbonding to Ma, wherein X¹ and X² may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6-or 7-membered ring.

R¹ to R⁶ in the formula (II-1) have the same definitions as R¹ to R⁶ inthe formula (I), and preferable embodiments thereof are also the same.

Ma in the formula (II-1) is a metal atom or a metal compound that hasthe same definition as the metal atom or the metal compound that isincluded in the above-mentioned specific complex, and the preferablerange thereof is the same.

R⁷ in the formula (II-1) has the same definition as R⁷ in the formula(I), and the preferable embodiment thereof is also the same.

X¹ in the formula (II-1) may be any group so long as it is capable ofbonding to Ma, and examples include water, alcohols (e.g., methanol,ethanol, propanol) and the like, as well as groups derived from thecompounds described in “Metal Chelates” [1] Takeichi Sakaguchi andKyohei Ueno (1995 Nankodo), “Metal Chelates” [2] (1996), “MetalChelates” [3] (1997) and the like.

X² in the formula (II-1) is a group that is necessary for neutralizingthe charge of Ma, and examples include a halogen atom, a hydroxy group,a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a sulfonic acid groupand the like.

X¹ and X² in the formula (II-1) may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6-or 7-membered ring. The 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring to be formed may be asaturated or unsaturated ring. Furthermore, the 5-, 6- or 7-memberedring may be formed by only carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, or may be aheterocycle having at least one atom selected from a nitrogen atom, anoxygen atom and a sulfur atom.

—Compound Represented by the Formula (II-2)—

One of the preferable examples of the specific complex in the inventionis a compound represented by the following formula (II-2).

In the formula (II-2), R¹ to R⁶ and R⁸ to R¹³ each independentlyrepresent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, R⁷ and R¹⁴ eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group,an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, and Ma represents a metal atom ora metal compound.

R¹ to R⁶ in the formula (II-2) have the same definitions as R¹ to R⁶ informula (I), and preferable embodiments thereof are also the same.

The substituents represented by R⁸ to R¹³ in the formula (II-2) have thesame definitions as R¹ to R⁶ in the compound represented by the formula(I), and preferable embodiments thereof are also the same. When thesubstituents represented by R⁸ to R¹³ in the formula (II-2) are groupsthat may further be substituted, they may be substituted by any ofSubstituent R mentioned above, and when they are substituted by two ormore substituents, those substituents may be the same or different.

R⁷ in the formula (II-2) has the same definition as R⁷ in the formula(I), and the preferable embodiments are also the same.

R¹⁴ in the formula (II-2) is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkylgroup, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, and the preferable rangeof R¹⁴ is the same as the preferable range of R⁷. When R¹⁴ is a groupthat may further be substituted, it may be substituted by any ofSubstituent R mentioned above, and when it is substituted by two or moresubstituents, the substituents may be the same or different.

Ma in the formula (II-2) represents a metal atom or a metal compoundthat has the same definition as the metal atom or the metal compoundthat is included in the specific complex mentioned above, and thepreferable range is also the same.

R⁸ and R⁹, R⁹ and R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹², and R¹² and R¹³ in the formula(II-2) independently bond to each other to form a 5-, 6- or 7-memberedsaturated or unsaturated ring. The saturated or unsaturated ring to beformed has the same definition as the saturated or unsaturated ring tobe formed by R¹ and R², R² and R³, R⁴ and R⁵, or R⁵ and R⁶, and thepreferable examples thereof are the same.

—Compound Represented by the Formula (III)—

One of the preferable examples of the specific complex in the inventionis the compound represented by the following formula (III).

In the formula (III), R² to R⁵ each independently represent a hydrogenatom or a substituent, R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, analkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, Ma represents ametal atom or a metal compound, X³ represents NR (wherein R represents ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, aheterocyclic group, an acyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group or anarylsulfonyl group), a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom,X⁴ represents NRa (wherein Ra represents a hydrogen atom, an alkylgroup, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an acylgroup, an alkylsulfonyl group or an arylsulfonyl group), an oxygen atomor a sulfur atom, Y¹ represents NRc (wherein Rc represents a hydrogenatom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclicgroup, an acyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group or an arylsulfonyl group),a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, Y² represents a nitrogen atom or acarbon atom, R⁸ and R⁹ each independently represent an alkyl group, analkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an alkoxy group, anaryloxy group, an alkylamino group, an arylamino group or a heterocyclicamino group, R⁸ and Y¹ may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6- or7-membered ring, R⁹ and Y² may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6- or7-membered ring, X⁵ represents a group capable of bonding to Ma, and arepresents 0, 1, or 2.

R² to R⁵ and R⁷ in the formula (III) have the same definitions as the R¹to R⁶ and R⁷ in the compound represented by the formula (I), andpreferable embodiments thereof are also the same.

Ma in the formula (III) represents a metal atom or a metal compound thathas the same definition as the metal atom or the metal compound that isincluded in the specific complex mentioned above, and the preferablerange thereof is also the same.

In the formula (III), R⁸ and R⁹ each independently represent an alkylgroup (a straight chain, branched chain or cyclic alkyl group havingpreferably 1 to 36, more preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as amethyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, abutyl group, an isobutyl group, a t-butyl group, a hexyl group, a2-ethylhexyl group, a dodecyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentylgroup, a cyclohexyl group and a 1-adamantyl group), an alkenyl group (analkenyl group having preferably 2 to 24, more preferably 2 to 12 carbonatoms, such as a vinyl group, an allyl group and a 3-buten-1-yl group),an aryl group (an aryl group having preferably 6 to 36, more preferably6 to 18 carbon atoms, such as a phenyl group and a naphthyl group), aheterocyclic group (a heterocyclic group having preferably 1 to 24, morepreferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as a 2-thienyl group, a 4-pyridylgroup, a 2-furyl group, a 2-pyrimidinyl group, a 1-pyridyl group, a2-benzothiazolyl group, a 1-imidazolyl group, a 1-pyrazolyl group and abenzotriazol-1-yl group), an alkoxy group (an alkoxy group havingpreferably 1 to 36, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such as amethoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propyloxy group, a butoxy group, ahexyloxy group, a 2-ethylhexyloxy group, a dodecyloxy group and acyclohexyloxy group), an aryloxy group (an aryloxy group havingpreferably 6 to 24, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such as aphenoxy group and a naphthyloxy group), an alkylamino group (analkylamino group having preferably 1 to 36, more preferably 1 to 18carbon atoms, such as a methylamino group, an ethylamino group, apropylamino group, a butylamino group, a hexylamino group, a2-ethylhexylamino group, an isopropylamino group, a t-butylamino group,a t-octylamino group, a cyclohexylamino group, an N,N-diethylaminogroup, an N,N-dipropylamino group, an N,N-dibutylamino group and anN-methyl-N-ethylamino group), an arylamino group (an aryl amino grouphaving preferably 6 to 36, more preferably 6 to 18 carbon atoms, such asa phenylamino group, a naphthylamino group, an N,N-diphenylamino groupand an N-ethyl-N-phenylamino group), or a heterocyclic amino group (aheterocyclic amino group having preferably 1 to 24, more preferably 1 to12 carbon atoms, such as a 2-aminopyrrole group, a 3-aminopyrazolegroup, a 2-aminopyridine group and a 3-aminopyridine group).

In the formula (III), when the alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group,heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, alkylamino group,arylamino group or heterocyclic amino group represented by R⁸ or R⁹ is agroup that may further be substituted, it may be substituted by any ofSubstituent R mentioned above, and when it is substituted by two or moresubstituents, the substituents may be the same or different.

In the formula (III), X³ represents NR, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atomor a sulfur atom, X⁴ represents NRa, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom,wherein R and Ra each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkylgroup (a straight chain, branched chain, or cyclic alkyl group havingpreferably 1 to 36, more preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as amethyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, abutyl group, an isobutyl group, a t-butyl group, a hexyl group, a2-ethylhexyl group, a dodecyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentylgroup, a cyclohexyl group, a 1-adamantyl group), an alkenyl group (analkenyl group having preferably 2 to 24, more preferably 2 to 12 carbonatoms, such as a vinyl group, an allyl group and a 3-buten-1-yl group),an aryl group (an aryl group having preferably 6 to 36, more preferably6 to 18 carbon atoms, such as a phenyl group and a naphthyl group), aheterocyclic group (a heterocyclic group having preferably 1 to 24, morepreferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as a 2-thienyl group, a 4-pyridylgroup, a 2-furyl group, a 2-pyrimidinyl group, a 1-pyridyl group, a2-benzothiazolyl group, a 1-imidazolyl group, a 1-pyrazolyl group and abenzotriazol-1-yl group), an acyl group (an acyl group having preferably1 to 24, more preferably 2 to 18 carbon atoms, such as an acetyl group,a pivaloyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, a benzoyl group and acyclohexanoyl group), an alkylsulfonyl group (an alkylsulfonyl grouphaving preferably 1 to 24, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such asa methylsulfonyl group, a ethylsulfonyl group, a isopropylsulfonyl groupand a cyclohexylsulfonyl group), or an arylsulfonyl group (anarylsulfonyl group having preferably 6 to 24, more preferably 6 to 18carbon atoms, such as a phenylsulfonyl group and a naphthylsulfonylgroup).

The alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group, heterocyclic group, acylgroup, alkylsulfonyl group or arylsulfonyl group for R and Ra mayfurther be substituted by any of Substituent R, and when the group issubstituted by plural substituents, the substituents may be the same ordifferent.

In the formula (III), Y¹ represents NRc, a nitrogen atom or a carbonatom, Y² represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, and Rc has thesame definition as R for X³.

In the formula (III), R⁸ and Y¹ may bond to each other so that R⁸, Y¹and the carbon atom form a 5-membered ring (e.g., cyclopentane,pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuran, dioxolane, tetrahydrothiophene, pyrrole,furan, thiophene, indole, benzofuran and benzothiophene), a 6-memberedring (e.g., cyclohexane, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine,tetrahydropyran, dioxane, pentamethylenesulfide, dithiane, benzene,piperidine, piperazine, pyridazine, quinoline and quinazoline) or a7-membered ring (e.g., cycloheptane and hexamethyleneimine).

In the formula (III), R⁹ and Y² may bond to each other so that R⁹, Y²and the carbon atom form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring. Examples of the5-membered, 6-membered and 7-membered rings to be formed include a ringin which one bond in the ring formed by R⁸, Y¹ and the carbon atom hasbeen converted to a double bond.

In the formula (III), when the 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring formed bybonding of R⁸ and Y¹ or R⁹ and Y² is a ring that may further besubstituted, it may be substituted by any of Substituent R, and when itis substituted by two or more substituents, the substituents may be thesame or different.

In the formula (III), X⁵ represents a group capable of bonding to Ma,and examples thereof include groups as defined for X¹ in the formula(II-1).

The a represents 0, 1 or 2.

A preferable embodiment of the compound represented by the formula (III)is shown below.

Namely, it is an embodiment wherein R² to R⁵, R⁷ and Ma are each apreferable embodiment for the complex including the compound representedby the formula (I) and the metal atom or the metal compound, X³represents NR (R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group), anitrogen atom or an oxygen atom, X⁴ represents NRa (Ra represents ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a heterocyclic group) or an oxygenatom, Y¹ represents NRc (Rc represents a hydrogen atom or an alkylgroup), a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, Y² represents a nitrogen atomor a carbon atom, X⁵ represents a group that bonds via an oxygen atom,R⁸ and R⁹ each independently represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, aheterocyclic group, an alkoxy group or an alkylamino group, or R⁸ and Y¹bond to each other to form a 5- or 6-membered ring and R⁹ and Y² bond toeach other to form a 5- or 6-membered ring, and a represents 0 or 1.

A more preferable embodiment of the compound represented by the formula(III) is shown below.

Namely, it is an embodiment wherein R² to R⁵, R⁷ and Ma are each apreferable embodiment for the complex including the compound representedby the formula (I) and the metal atom or the metal compound, X³ and X⁴are each an oxygen atom, Y¹ represents NH, Y² represents an nitrogenatom, X⁵ represents a group that bonds via an oxygen atom, R⁸ and R⁹each independently represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, aheterocyclic group, an alkoxy group or an alkylamino group, or R⁸ and Y¹bond to each other to form a 5- or 6-membered ring and R⁹ and Y² bond toeach other to form a 5- or 6-membered ring, and a represents 0 or 1.

Hereinafter specific examples of the specific complex of the inventionare shown, but the invention is not limited to these examples.

Compd No. R¹ = R⁶ = R⁸ = R¹³ R² = R⁵ = R⁹ = R¹² R³ = R⁴ = R¹⁰ = R¹¹ R⁷ =R¹⁴ Ma Ia-3 —NH₂

—CH₃ —H Zn Ia-4 Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as aboveV = O Ia-5 —NHCOCH₃ Same as above Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-6Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Cu Ia-7 Same asabove Same as above Same as above —CH₃ Zn Ia-8 —NHCOCH₂OCH₂COOH Same asabove Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-9 Same as above Same as aboveSame as above Same as above Zn Ia-10 Same as above Same as above—C₃H₇(iso) —H Zn Ia-11 Same as above Same as above Same as above —CH₃ ZnIa-12 Same as above Same as above —C₄H₉(t) —H Cu Ia-13 —NH₂ Same asabove Same as above —CH₃ Zn Ia-14 Same as above Same as above Same asabove —H Zn Ia-15 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-16 —NHCOCH₃ Same as above

—CH₃ Cu Ia-17 —NH₂ Same as above

—H Zn Ia-18 Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above CuIa-19 Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above V = OIa-20 Same as above Same as above Same as above —CH₃ Zn Ia-21 —NHCOCH₃Same as above Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-22 —NHCOCH₂OCH₂COOH Sameas above Same as above —H Zn Ia-23 Same as above Same as above Same asabove —CH₃ Zn Ia-24 —NHCOCH₂OCH₂COOH

—CH₃ Cu Ia-25 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-26 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-27

Same as above —CH₃ —H Cu Ia-28 Same as above Same as above Same as above—CH₃ Zn Ia-29

Same as above Same as above Same as above Cu Ia-30 Same as above Same asabove

Same as above Cu Ia-31

Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-32

Same as above Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-33 —NHSO₂CH₃ Same asabove —CH₃ Same as above Zn Ia-34

Same as above Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-35

—CH₃ Zn Ia-36

Same as above Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-37

Same as above Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-38 —Cl Same as aboveSame as above Same as above Cu Ia-39 —S—CH₂COOH Same as above Same asabove Same as above Cu Ia-40

Same as above —CH₃ Same as above Cu Ia-41 Same as above Same as aboveSame as above Same as above V = O Ia-42 —SO₂CH₃ Same as above Same asabove Same as above V = O Ia-43 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Cu Ia-44

Same as above Same as above Same as above Cu Ia-45 —CH₃ Same as above—CH₃ —H Cu Ia-46 Same as above Same as above Same as above —CH₃ Zn Ia-47Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Cu Ia-48 Same asabove Same as above Same as above Same as above Ni Ia-49 —C₄H₉(t) Sameas above Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-50 Same as above Same asabove Same as above Same as above Pd Ia-51 —CH₂CH₂COOH Same as aboveSame as above Same as above Zn Ia-52 —CH₂CH₂COOH

—CH₃ Zn Ia-53 —CH₃ Same as above Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-54Same as above Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-55 Same as above Same as above Same as above Same asabove Cu Ia-56 Same as above Same as above Same as above

Zn Ia-57

Same as above —CH₃ —H Zn Ia-58 Same as above Same as above Same as above—CH₃ Zn Ia-59

Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-60 Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-61

Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-62

Same as above Same as above Zn Ia-63 —CH₃ Same as above Same as aboveSame as above Cu Ia-67 —NH₂ —CN —CH₃ —H Zn Ia-68 —NHCOCH₃ Same as aboveSame as above —CH₃ Zn Ia-69 —CH₃ Same as above Same as above Same asabove Zn Ia-70 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-71 —C₁₃H₂₇ Same as above —CH₃

Cu Ia-72 —NH₂ Same as above —CF₃ Same as above Cu Ia-73 —NHCOCH₂OCH₂COOHSame as above Same as above Same as above Cu Ia-74

Same as above Same as above —CH₃ Zn Ia-75

Same as above —C₃H₇(iso) Same as above Zn Ia-76 Same as above Same asabove

Same as above Zn Ia-77 Same as above Same as above —CF₃ Same as above ZnIa-78 —NHCOCH₂OCH₂COOH Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-79

—H Zn Ia-80 Same as above Same as above —C₄H₉(t) Same as above Zn Ia-81—C₁₃H₂₇ Same as above

Same as above Zn Ia-82 —NHCOCH₂OCH₂COOH —COOC₂H₅

Same as above Cu Ia-83

—CH₃ Same as above Zn

Compound No. R¹ = R⁶ = R⁸ = R¹³ R² = R⁵ = R⁹ = R¹² R³ = R⁴ = R¹⁰ = R¹¹R⁷ = R¹⁴ Ma Ia-A —NHCOCH₃

—CH₃

Zn

Compd No. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ R⁹ X¹ II-1 —CH₃ —COOC₂H₅ —CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ H₂O II-2Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above

Same as above II-3 Same as above Same as above Same as above Same asabove

Same as above II-4

—COOCH₃ Same as above

—CH₃ Same as above II-5

—COOC₂H₅ Same as above Same as above —CH₂OCH₂COOH Same as above II-6Same as above Same as Same as Same as —CH₃ Same above above above asabove II-7 —CH₃ —COOC₂H₅

—CH₃ H₂O II-8

Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as aboveII-9

—CN —CH₃ —CH₃ Same as above Same as above II-10

Same as above Same as above Same as above

Same as above II-11 Same as above Same as above

—CH₃ Same as above

Compound No. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ R⁷ R⁹ X¹ II-A —CH₃ —COOC₂H₅ —CH₃ —CH₃

—CH₃ H₂O

Compd No. R⁸ R⁹ III-1  —CH₃ —CH₃ III-2 

—CH₃ III-3  —C₄H₉(t) Same as above III-4 

III-5  —C₄H₉(t) —C₄H₉(t) III-6 

—CH₃ III-7 

—CH₃ III-8  —CH₂OCH₃ Same as above III-9 

Same as above III-10

Same as above III-11

Same as above III-12

Same as above III-13

Same as above III-14

Same as above III-15 —CH₂OCH₂COOC₂H₅ Same as above III-16 —CH₂NHSO₂CH₃Same as above III-17

Same as above III-18

Same as above III-19

Same as above III-20

Same as above III-21

Same as above III-22

Same as above III-23

Same as above III-24

Same as above III-25

—CH₃ III-26 —CH₂CH₂COOC₂H₅ —CH₃ III-27

Same as above III-28

Same as above III-29 —CH₂NHSO₂CH₃ —CH₂NHSO₂CH₃ III-30

III-31 —CH₂NHSO₂CH₃

III-32

—C₄H₉(t) III-33

—CH₃ III-34

III-35

—CH₃ III-36

—CH₃ III-37

Same as above III-38

Same as above III-39

Same as above III-40

Same as above III-41

Same as above III-42

Same as above III-43

Same as above III-44

Same as above

Compd No. R⁸ R⁹ III-45 —CH₃ —CH₃ III-46

III-47 —C₄H₉(t) —C₄H₉(t) III-48

III-49 —CH₂NHSO₂CH₃ —CH₃ III-50 —CH₂NHSO₂CH₃ —CH₂NHSO₂CH₃ III-51

Same as above III-52

III-53

Same as above III-54

—CH₃ III-55

III-56

Same as above III-57

—CH₃ III-58

III-59

Same as above III-60

—CH₃ III-61

Same as above III-62

Same as above III-63

Same as above III-64

Compd No. R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ R⁹ III-65 —CH₃ —CH₃ —COOC₂H₅ —CH₃ —CH₃ III-66 Sameas above Same as above Same as above

III-67 Same as above Same as above Same as above

III-68

Same as above Same as above —CH₃ —CH₃ III-69

Same as above Same as above Same as above III-70 —CH₃

Same as above

III-71

—CH₃

III-72 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Same as above III-73 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Same as above III-74 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Same as above III-75 Same as above Same as above

Same as above Same as above

Compd No. R³ R⁴ R⁸ R⁹ III-76 —CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ III-77 Same as aboveSame as above

Same as above III-78 Same as above Same as above Same as above

III-79 Same as above Same as above

III-80 Same as above

—CH₃ —CH₃ III-81 Same as above Same as above Same as above

III-82 Same as above Same as above

Same as above III-83 —CH₃

III-84 Same as above Same as above Same as above

III-85 Same as above Same as above —C₄H₉(t) Same as above III-86

—CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ III-87 Same as above Same as above —CH₂NHSO₂CH₃—CH₂NHSO₂CH₃ III-88

—CH₃ —CH₃ III-89 —CH₃

Same as above Same as above

Compd No. R³ R⁴ R⁸ R⁹ III-90 —CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ III-91 Same as aboveSame as above Same as above

III-92 Same as above Same as above

Same as above III-93

—CH₃ —CH₃ III-94 Same as above Same as above —C₄H₉(t) —C₄H₉(t) III-95Same as above Same as above

Same as above III-96 Same as above Same as above

—CH₃ III-97

—CH₃ —CH₃ III-98

—CH₃ —CH₃ III-99

Same as above Same as above III-100

Same as above Same as above III-101

Same as above Same as above III-102

III-103

Compound No. R⁷ R⁸ R⁹ III-A

—C₄H₉(t) —C₄H₉(t)

Compd No. R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁷ R⁸ R⁹ III-B —CH₃ —CH₃ —COOC₂H₅

—CH₃ —CH₃

Compd No. R³ R⁴ R⁷ R⁸ R⁹ III-C —CH₃ —CH₃

—CH₃ —CH₃

Compound No. R⁸ R⁹ IV-A

Com- pound No. R₃ R₄ R₅ R₇ R₈ R₉ III-65-2

—COOC₂H₅ —H —CH₃ —CH₃ III-70-2

—H —CH₃

III-B-2

—COOC₂H₅

—CH₃ —CH₃

Compound No. R₃ R₄ R₇ R₈ R₉ III-90-2

—H —CH₃ —CH₃ III-C-2

—CH₃ —CH₃

It is preferable that the mol absorption coefficient of the specificcomplex of the invention is as high as possible in view of filmthickness. The maximum absorption wavelength λmax is preferably 520 nmto 580 nm, more preferably 530 nm to 570 nm in view of color purity. Themaximum absorption wavelength and mol absorption coefficient aremeasured by a spectrophotometer (trade name: UV-2400PC, manufactured byShimadzu Corporation).

It is preferable that the melting point of the specific complex of theinvention is not too high in view of solubility.

The specific complex of the invention may be synthesized by the methodsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,774,339 and 5,433,896, JP-A Nos.2001-240761 and 2002-155052, Japanese Patent No. 3614586, Aust. J. Chem,1965, 11, 1835-1845, J. H. Boger et al, Heteroatom Chemistry, Vol. 1,No. 5, 389 (1990), and the like.

With respect to the synthesis method of the specific complex in theinvention, the method described in the paragraphs [0131] to [0157] ofJP-A No. 2008-292970 may be specifically applied.

In the photosensitive colored curable composition of the invention, onekind of the specific complex may be used, or two or more kinds thereofmay be used in combination.

The content of the specific complex in the invention in the coloredcurable composition differs according to molecular weight and molabsorption coefficient, and is preferably 10 mass % to 70 mass %, morepreferably 10 mass % to 50 mass %, and most preferably 15 mass % to 30mass % with respect to all the solid components in the colored curablecomposition.

[(A-2) Phthalocyanine Pigment]

The phthalocyanine pigment used in the invention is not specificallylimited so long as it is a pigment having a phthalocyanine backbone. Thecenter metal included in the phthalocyanine pigment may be any metalcapable of constituting a phthalocyanine backbone, and is notspecifically limited. Among these, magnesium, titanium, iron, cobalt,nickel, copper, zinc and aluminum are preferably used as the centermetal.

Specific examples of the phthalocyanine pigment in the invention includeC. I. Pigment Blue 15, C. I. Pigment Blue 15:1, C. I. Pigment Blue 15:2,C. I. Pigment Blue 15:3, C. I. Pigment Blue 15:4, C. I. Pigment Blue15:5, C. I. Pigment Blue 15:6, C. I. Pigment Blue 16, C. I. Pigment Blue17:1, C. I. Pigment Blue 75, C. I. Pigment Blue 79, C. I. Pigment Green7, C. I. Pigment Green 36, C. I. Pigment Green 37, chloroaluminumphthalocyanine, hydroxyaluminum phthalocyanine, aluminum phthalocyanineoxide and zinc phthalocyanine. Among these, C. I. Pigment Blue 15, C. I.Pigment Blue 15:6, C. I. Pigment Blue 15:1 and C. I. Pigment Blue 15:2are preferable, and C. I. Pigment Blue 15:6 is specifically preferablein view of light resistance and coloring property.

The content of the phthalocyanine pigment in the colored curablecomposition in the invention is preferably 10 mass % to 70 mass %, morepreferably 20 mass % to 60 mass %, and most preferably 35 mass % to 50mass % with respect to all the solid components in the colored curablecomposition.

The content ratio of the specific complex to the phthalocyanine pigment(phthalocyanine pigment: specific complex) is preferably 100:5 to100:100, more preferably 100:15 to 100:75, further preferably 100:25 to100:50.

[(B) Dispersing Agent]

The colored curable composition of the invention includes the (B)dispersing agent.

As the (B) dispersing agent, known pigment dispersing agents andsurfactants may be used.

As the dispersing agent, many kinds of compounds may be used, andexamples thereof include phthalocyanine derivatives (commercial product,trade name: EFKA-745 (manufactured by Efka)), SOLSPERSE 5000 (tradename, manufactured by Lubrizol Japan Ltd.); cationic surfactantsincluding organosiloxane polymers (trade name: KP341, manufactured byShin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), (meth)acrylic acid (co)polymers (tradenames: POLYFLOW Nos. 75, 90 and 95, manufactured by Kyoeisha ChemicalCo., Ltd.) and W001 (trade name, manufactured by Yusho Co., Ltd.);nonionic surfactants including polyoxyethylene lauryl ether,polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether,polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether,polyethylene glycol dilaurate, polyethylene glycol distearate andsorbitan fatty acid esters; anionic surfactants including W004, W005 andW017 (trade names, manufactured by Yusho Co., Ltd.); polymer dispersingagents (trade names: EFKA-46, EFKA-47, EFKA-47EA, EFKA POLYMER 100, EFKAPOLYMER 400, EFKA POLYMER 401 and EFKA POLYMER 450, manufactured byMorishita & Co., Ltd., and trade names: DISPERSE AID 6, DISPERSE AID 8,DISPERSE AID 15 and DISPERSE AID 9100, manufactured by San Nopco Ltd.);various SOLSPERSE dispersing agents (trade names: SOLSPERSE 3000, 5000,9000, 12000, 13240, 13940, 17000, 24000, 26000 and 28000, manufacturedby Lubrizol Japan Ltd.); ADEKA PLURONIC L31, F38, L42, L44, L61, L64,F68, L72, P95, F77, P84, F87, P94, L101, P103, F108, L121 and P-123(trade names, manufactured by Adeka Corporation), and ISONET S-20 (tradename, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.).

The content of the (B) dispersing agent in the colored curablecomposition in the invention is preferably 1 mass % to 80 mass %, morepreferably 5 mass % to 70 mass %, and most preferably 10 mass % to 60mass % with respect to the pigment.

[(C) Polymerizable Compound]

The colored curable composition of the invention includes the (C)polymerizable compound. As the polymerizable compound, for example, anaddition-polymerizable compound having at least one ethylenicunsaturated double bond may be exemplified. Specifically, it is selectedfrom compounds having at least one, preferably two or more terminalethylenic unsaturated bonds. Such compounds are widely known in thisindustrial field, and may be used in the invention without specificlimitation. These may have any chemical form of, for example, a monomer,a prepolymer (i.e., a dimer, trimer or oligomer) or a mixture thereof,or a (co)polymer thereof.

In the present specification, an acryloyl group and a methacryloyl groupmay be collectively referred to as a (meth)acryloyl group, and anacrylate and a methacrylate may be collectively referred to as a(meth)acrylate.

Examples of the (C) polymerizable compound may include an unsaturatedcarboxylic acid (e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid,crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, maleic acid and the like) and an esterand an amide thereof, and preferable examples may include an ester of anunsaturated carboxylic acid and an aliphatic polyvalent alcohol compoundand an amide of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an aliphaticpolyvalent amine compound. Furthermore, an adduct of an unsaturatedcarboxylic acid ester or an amide having a nucleophilic substituent suchas a hydroxyl group, an amino group or a mercapto group with amonofunctional or multifunctional isocyanate or epoxy, a dehydrationcondensate with a monofunctional or multifunctional carboxylic acid, andthe like are preferably used. Moreover, an adduct of an unsaturatedcarboxylic acid ester or amide having an electrophilic substituent suchas an isocyanate group or an epoxy group with a monofunctional ormultifunctional alcohol, amine or thiol, and a substituted reactionproduct of an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester or amide having adetachable substituent such as a halogen group or a tosyloxy group witha monofunctional or multifunctional alcohol, amine or thiol are alsopreferable. In addition, as another example, compounds in which theunsaturated carboxylic acid is replaced with unsaturated phosphonicacid, styrene, vinyl ether or the like are also possible.

Specific examples of the monomer of the ester of the aliphaticpolyvalent alcohol compound and the unsaturated carboxylic acid includeacrylic acid esters including ethylene glycol diacrylate, triethyleneglycol diacrylate, 1,3-butanediol diacrylate, tetramethylene glycoldiacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate,trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylolpropanetri(acryloyloxypropyl)ether, trimethylolethane triacrylate, hexanedioldiacrylate, 1,4-cyclohexanediol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycoldiacrylate, pentaerythritol diacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate,pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol diacrylate,dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, tripentaerythritol polyacrylate(acrylate group number: 1-8), tetrapentaerythritol polyacrylate(acrylate group number: 1-10), pentapentaerythritol polyacrylate(acrylate group number: 1-12), sorbitol triacrylate, sorbitoltetraacrylate, sorbitol pentaacrylate, sorbitol hexaacrylate,tri(acryloyloxyethyl)isocyanurate, polyesteracrylate oligomer andisocyanuric acid EO-modified triacrylate.

Examples of the methacrylic acid ester include tetramethylene glycoldimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, neopentyl glycoldimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, trimethylolethanetrimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butanedioldimethacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritoldimethacrylate, pentaerythritol trimethacrylate, pentaerythritoltetramethacrylate, dipentaerythritol dimethacrylate, dipentaerythritolhexamethacrylate, sorbitol trimethacrylate, sorbitol tetramethacrylate,bis[p-(3-methacryloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]dimethylmethane andbis-[p-(methacryloxyethoxy)phenyl]dimethylmethane.

Examples of the itaconic acid ester include ethylene glycol diitaconate,propylene glycol diitaconate, 1,3-butanediol diitaconate, 1,4-butanedioldiitaconate, tetramethylene glycol diitaconate, pentaerythritoldiitaconate and sorbitol tetraitaconate, examples of the crotonic acidester include ethylene glycol dicrotonate, tetramethylene glycoldicrotonate, pentaerythritol dicrotonate and sorbitol tetradicrotonate,examples of the isocrotonic acid ester include ethylene glycoldiisocrotonate, pentaerythritol diisocrotonate and sorbitoltetraisocrotonate, and examples of the maleic acid ester includeethylene glycol dimaleate, triethylene glycol dimaleate, pentaerythritoldimaleate and sorbitol tetramaleate and the like.

Preferable examples of other esters to be used include the aliphaticalcohol esters described in Japanese Examined Patent Publication (JP-B)No. 51-47334 and JP-A No. 57-196231, those including an aromaticbackbone described in JP-A Nos. 59-5240, 59-5241 and 2-226149, and thoseincluding an amino group described in JP-A No. 1-165613. Theabove-mentioned ester monomers may be used as a mixture.

Specific examples of the monomer of the amide of the aliphaticpolyvalent amine compound and the unsaturated carboxylic acid includemethylene bis-acrylamide, methylene bis-methacrylamide,1,6-hexamethylene bis-acrylamide, 1,6-hexamethylene bis-methacrylamide,diethylenetriamine tris-acrylamide, xylylene bis-acrylamide and xylylenebis-methacrylamide.

Examples of other preferable amide monomers may include those having acyclohexylene structure described in JP-B No. 54-21726.

Alternatively, an urethane type addition-polymerizable compound producedby using addition reaction between an isocyanate and a hydroxy group isalso preferable, and specific examples thereof include a vinyl urethanecompound including two or more polymerizable vinyl groups in onemolecule as described in JP-B No. 48-41708, which is obtained by addinga vinyl monomer including a hydroxy group represented by the followingformula (A) to a polyisocyanate compound having two or more isocyanategroups in one molecule:CH₂═C(R)COOCH₂CH(R′)OH  (A)

wherein R and R′ each independently represent H or CH₃.

Urethane acrylates such as those described in JP-A No. 51-37193, JP-BNos. 2-32293 and 2-16765; or the urethane compounds having an ethyleneoxide-based skeleton described in JP-B Nos. 58-49860, 56-17654, 62-39417and 62-39418, are also suitable. If the addition polymerizable compoundshaving an amino structure or a sulfide structure in the molecule, asdescribed in JP-A Nos. 63-277653, 63-260909 and 1-105238, are used, acolored curable composition that is very excellent in photocuring speedmay be obtained.

Other examples include polyfunctional acrylates or methacrylates such asthe polyester acrylates and epoxy acrylates obtained by reacting anepoxy resin and (meth)acrylic acid, such as those described in JP-A No.48-64183, JP-B Nos. 49-43191 and 52-30490; the specific unsaturatedcompounds described in JP-B Nos. 46-43946, 1-40337 and 1-40336; thevinylphosphonic acid-based compounds described in JP-A No. 2-25493; andthe like. Under certain circumstances, the structure containing aperfluoroalkyl group described in JP-A No. 61-22048 is also suitablyused. The compounds introduced in Journal of the Adhesion Society ofJapan, Vol. 20, No. 7, pp. 300-308 (1984) as photocurable monomers andoligomers, may also be used.

For these polymerizable compounds, details of the method of useincluding the structure, whether single use or combination use, and theamount to be added, may be arbitrarily set according to the ultimatedesigning of performance of the colored curable composition. Forexample, polymerizable compounds are selected in view of the followingpoints.

In view of sensitivity, a structure including many unsaturated groupsper one molecule is preferable, and bi- or more functional structure ispreferable in many cases. Further, a tri- or more functional compound ispreferable in order to enhance the strength of the colored image portion(that is, the colored curable composition layer), and a method ofadjusting both sensitivity and strength by using compounds havingdifferent functional numbers and different polymerizable groups (e.g.,acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters, styrene compounds andvinyl ether compounds) in combination is also effective. In view of thecuring sensitivity, a compound having preferably two or more, morepreferably three or more, still more preferably four or more(meth)acrylic acid ester structures may be used. In view of the curingsensitivity, and the developability of the unexposed portion, an EOmodified compound is preferably included. In view of the curingsensitivity and the strength of the exposed portion, a compound having aurethane bond is preferably used.

Furthermore, selection and use of the polymerizable compound are alsoimportant factors for compatibility with other components (e.g., analkali soluble resin and an initiator) included in the colored curablecomposition layer. For example, compatibility may be improved by using acompound having low purity or using two or more kinds of compounds incombination. Further, a specific structure may be selected in order toimprove adhesion with a substrate.

From the above viewpoints, preferable examples include bisphenol Adi(meth)acrylate, bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate EO modified product,trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropanetri((meth)acryloyloxypropyl) ether, trimethylolethane tri(meth)acrylate,tetraethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol di(meth)acrylate,pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate,dipentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritolpenta(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, ethoxylatedbisphenol A diacrylate, sorbitol tri(meth)acrylate, sorbitoltetra(meth)acrylate, sorbitol penta(meth)acrylate, sorbitolhexa(meth)acrylate, tri((meth)acryloyloxyethyl) isocyanurate,pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate EO modified product,dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate EO modified product, and the like.Preferable examples of commercially available products include urethaneoligomer UAS-10, UAB-140 (trade names, manufactured by Sanyo-KokusakuPulp Co., Ltd.), KAYA RAD DPHA (trade name, manufactured by NipponKayaku Co., Ltd.), NK ESTER A-TMMT, NK ESTER A-TMPT, NK ESTER A-TMM-3(trade names, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.), ARONIXM-305, ARONIX M-306, ARONIX M-309, ARONIX M-450, ARONIX M-402 (tradenames, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.), V#802 (manufactured by OsakaOrganic Chemical Industry Ltd.), UA-306H, UA-306T, UA-306I, AH-600,T-600, AI-600 (trade names, manufactured by Kyoeisha Chemical Co.,Ltd.).

Among them, bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate EO modified product,ethoxylated bisphenol A diacrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate,pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritolpenta(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate,tri((meth)acryloyloxyethyl) isocyanurate, pentaerythritoltetra(meth)acrylate EO modified product, dipentaerythritolhexa(meth)acrylate EO modified product, and the like are preferable. Ascommercially available products, KAYA RAD DPHA (trade name, manufacturedby Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), NK ESTER A-TMMT, NK ESTER A-TMPT, NK ESTERA-TMM-3 (trade names, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.),ARONIX M-305, ARONIX M-306, ARONIX M-309, ARONIX M-450, ARONIX M-402(trade names, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.), and V#802(manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Ltd.) are morepreferable.

The content of the polymerizable compound (total content in case of twoor more polymerizable compounds being used) in the whole solid contentin the colored curable composition is not specifically limited, and ispreferably 10 mass % to 80 mass %, more preferably 15 mass % to 75 mass%, and specifically preferably 20 mass % to 60 mass % in view of moreeffectively obtaining the effect of the invention.

[(D) Photopolymerization Initiator]

The colored curable composition of the invention includes the (D)photopolymerization initiator.

The photopolymerization initiator is not specifically limited as long itmay polymerize the (C) polymerizable compound mentioned above, and ispreferably selected in view of property, initiation efficiency,absorption wavelength, availability, cost and the like.

Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include at least oneactive halogen compound selected from halomethyloxadiazole compounds andhalomethyl-s-triazine compounds, 3-aryl-substituted coumarin compounds,lophine dimers, benzophenone compounds, acetophenone compounds andderivatives thereof, cyclopentadiene-benzene-iron complexes and saltsthereof, and oxime compounds. Specific examples of thephotopolymerization initiator include those described in the paragraphs[0070] to [0077] of JP-A No. 2004-295116. Among these, oxime compoundsare preferable in view of rapid polymerization reaction and the like.

The oxime compound (hereinafter also referred to as “oximephotopolymerization initiator”) is not specifically limited, andexamples include the oxime compounds described in, for example, JP-A No.2000-80068, WO02/100903A1, JP-A No. 2001-233842 and the like.

Specific examples include, but are not limited to,

-   2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-butanedione,-   2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-pentanedione,-   2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-hexanedione,-   2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-heptanedione,-   2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-octanedione,-   2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(methylphenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-butanedione,-   2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(ethylphenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-butanedione,-   2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(butylphenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-butanedione,-   1-(O-acetyloxime)-1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-methylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazole-3-yl]ethanone,-   1-(O-acetyloxime)-1-[9-methyl-6-(2-methylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazole-3-yl]ethanone,-   1-(O-acetyloxime)-1-[9-propyl-6-(2-methylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazole-3-yl]ethanone,-   1-(O-acetyloxime)-1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-ethylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazole-3-yl]ethanone    and-   1-(O-acetyloxime)-1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-butylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazole-3-yl]ethanone.

Among these, oxime-O-acyl compounds including2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-octanedione and1-(O-acetyloxime)-1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-methylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazole-3-yl]ethanoneare specifically preferable in view of that a pattern having a goodshape (specifically, a rectangle shape of a pattern in case of asolid-state image pickup device) may be obtained with smaller amount ofexposure, and specific examples include CGI-124 and CGI-242 (tradenames, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals).

In the invention, the compound represented by the following formula (1)is preferable as the oxime compound in view of sensitivity, stabilityover time and coloring during post-heating.

In the formula (1), R and X each independently represent a monovalentsubstituent, A is a bivalent organic group, Ar is an aryl group, and nis an integer of 1 to 5.

As R, an acyl group is preferable in view of improvement of sensitivity,and preferable specific examples include an acetyl group, a propionylgroup, a benzoyl group and a toluyl group.

A is preferably an unsubstituted alkylene group, an alkylene groupsubstituted by an alkyl group (e.g., a methyl group, an ethyl group, atert-butyl group and a dodecyl group), an alkylene group substituted byan alkenyl group (e.g., a vinyl group and an allyl group), or analkylene group substituted by an aryl group (e.g., a phenyl group, ap-tolyl group, a xylyl group, a cumenyl group, a naphthyl group, ananthryl group, a phenanthryl group and a styryl group), in view ofimproved sensitivity and suppression of coloring by heating or storingover time.

Ar is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group in view ofimproved sensitivity and suppression of coloring by heating or storingover time. In case of the substituted phenyl group, preferable examplesof the substituent include halogen groups including a fluorine atom, achlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom.

X is preferably an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionallysubstituted aryl group, an optionally substituted alkenyl group, anoptionally substituted alkynyl group, an optionally substituted alkoxygroup, an optionally substituted aryloxy group, an optionallysubstituted alkylthioxy group, an optionally substituted arylthioxygroup or an optionally substituted amino group, in view of improvementof solubility in solvents and absorption efficiency in a long wavelengthregion.

In the formula (1), n is preferably an integer of 1 or 2.

Hereinafter the specific examples of the compound represented by theformula (1) are shown, but the invention is not limited to theseexamples.

Besides the above-mentioned photopolymerization initiators, other knownphotopolymerization initiators described in the paragraph [0079] of JP-ANo. 2004-295116 may be used for the colored curable composition of theinvention.

Only one photopolymerization initiator may be incorporated, or two ormore kinds thereof may be incorporated in combination. The content ofthe photopolymerization initiator (total content in case of two or morephotopolymerization initiators being used) in the whole solid componentsof the colored curable composition is preferably 3 mass % to 20 mass %,more preferably 4 mass % to 19 mass %, and specifically preferably 5mass % to 18 mass %, in view of obtaining the effect of the inventionmore effectively.

—Sensitizing Dye—

In the colored curable composition of the present invention, asensitizing dye may be added as required. The sensitizing dye maypromote the radical generating reaction of the photopolymerizationinitiator by light-exposure of the wavelengths absorbable by thesensitizing dye, and thereby may promote the polymerization reaction ofthe polymerizable compound.

Examples of such a sensitizing dye include known spectral sensitizingdyes or colorants, or dyes or colorants that absorb light and interactwith the photopolymerization initiator.

(Spectral Sensitizing Dye or Colorant)

Examples of preferable spectral sensitizing dyes or colorants used asthe sensitizing dye in the present invention include: polynucleararomatic compounds (for example, pyrene, perylene, triphenylene);xanthenes (for example, fluorescein, eosin, erythrosin, rhodamine B,rose bengal; cyanines (for example, thiacarbocyanine, oxacarbocyanine);merocyanines (for example, merocyanine, carbomerocyanine); thiazines(for example, thionine, methylene blue and toluidine blue); acridines(for example, acridine orange, chloroflavin, acriflavine);phthalocyanines (for example, phthalocyanine, metal phthalocyanines);porphyrins (for example, tetraphenylporphyrin, central metal-substitutedporphyrins); chlorophylls (for example, chlorophyll, chlorophyllin,central metal-substituted chlorophyll); metal complexes; anthraquinones(for example, anthraquinone); squaryliums (for example, squarylium); andthe like.

More preferable examples of the spectral sensitizing dyes includestyryl-based dyes described in JP-B No. 37-13034, cation dyes describedin JP-A No. 62-143044, quinoxalinium salts described in JP-B No.59-24147, novel methylene blue compounds described in JP-A No. 64-33104,anthraquinones described in JP-A No. 64-56767, benzoxanthene dyesdescribed in JP-A No. 2-1714, acridines described in JP-A No. 2-226148and JP-A No. 2-226149, pyrylium salts described in JP-B No. 40-28499,cyanines described in JP-B No. 46-42363, benzofuran dyes described inJP-A No. 2-63053, conjugate ketone dyes described in JP-A No. 2-85858and JP-A No. 2-216154, dyes described in JP-A No. 57-10605,azocinnamylidene derivatives described in JP-B No. 2-30321,cyanine-based dyes described in JP-A No. 1-287105, xanthene-based dyesdescribed in JP-A No. 62-31844, JP-A No. 62-31848, and JP-A No.62-143043, aminostyryl ketones described in JP-B No. 59-28325, dyesdescribed in JP-A No. 2-179643, merocyanine dyes described in JP-A No.2-244050, melocyanine dyes described in JP-B No. 59-28326, merocyaninedyes described in JP-A No. 59-89303, merocyanine dyes described in JP-ANo. 8-129257, and benzopyran-based dyes described in JP-A No. 8-334897.

(Dyes Having Maximum Absorption Wavelength at 350 nm to 450 nm)

Examples of other preferable embodiments of sensitizing dyes includecompounds belonging to the following groups of dyes having a maximumabsorption wavelength at 350 nm to 450 nm. Examples include: polynucleararomatic compounds (for example, pyrene, perylene and triphenylene);xanthenes (for example, fluorescein, eosin, erythrosine, rhodamine B,and rose bengal); cyanines (for example, thiacarbocyanine andoxacarbocyanine); merocyanines (for example, merocyanine andcarbomerocyanine); thiazines (for example, thionine, methylene blue andtoluidine blue); acridines (for example, acridine orange, chloroflavin,acriflavine); anthraquinones (for example, anthraquinone); andsquaryliums (for example, squarylium).

With respect to the sensitizing dyes, the following various chemicalmodifications may be performed thereto in order to improve thecharacteristics of the colored curable composition of the presentinvention. For example, by combining the sensitizing dye with anaddition polymerizable compound structure (for example, an acryloylgroup or a methacryloyl group) using methods such as a covalent bond, anionic bond, or a hydrogen bond, an improvement in the strength of thecross-linked cured layer and an improvement in the effect of suppressingunwanted precipitation of the dye from the cross-linked cured layer maybe obtained.

The content of the sensitizing dye is preferably 0.01 mass % to 20 mass%, more preferably 0.01 mass % to 10 mass %, and still more preferably0.1 mass % to 5 mass %, with respect to the total solid content of thecolored curable composition. When the content of the sensitizing dye iswithin these ranges, high sensitivity to the exposure wavelengths of anultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, and curability of the deeper layerportions may be obtained, and these ranges are also preferable in termsof developing margin and pattern formability.

—Hydrogen Donating Compound—

The colored curable composition of the invention preferably contains ahydrogen donating compound. In the invention, the hydrogen donatingcompound further improves the sensitivity of the sensitizing dye andphotopolymerization initiator to active radiation, or preventsinhibition of polymerization of the polymerizable compound caused byoxygen.

Examples of the hydrogen donating compound include amines such as thecompounds described in M. R. Sander et al, “Journal of Polymer Society”,vol. 10, p. 3173 (1972), JP-B No. 44-20189, JP-A Nos. 51-82102,52-134692, 59-138205, 60-84305, 62-18537, 64-33104, and ResearchDisclosure No. 33825. Specific examples include triethanolamine, ethylp-dimethylaminobenzoate, p-formyldimethylaniline, andp-methylthiodimethylaniline.

Other examples of the hydrogen donating compound include thiols andsulfides such as thiol compounds described in JP-A No. 53-702, JP-B No.55-500806, and JP-A No. 5-142772, and disulfide compounds described inJP-A No. 56-75643, and specific examples thereof include2-mercaptobenzothiazole, 2-mercaptobenzoxazole, 2-mercaptobenzimidazole,2-mercapto-4(3H)-quinazoline, and β-mercaptonaphthalene.

Yet other examples of the hydrogen donating compound include amino acidcompounds such as N-phenylglycine, organometallic compounds described inJP-B No. 48-42965, such as tributyl tin acetate, hydrogen donorsdescribed in JP-B No. 55-34414, and sulfur compounds described in JP-ANo. 6-308727, such as trithiane.

The content of the hydrogen donating compound is preferably from 0.1 to30% by mass, more preferably from 0.5 to 25% by mass, and even morepreferably from 1 to 20% by mass with respect to the total solid contentof the colored curable composition, from the viewpoint of improving thecuring rate based on the balance of the polymerization growth rate andchain transfer.

[(E) Organic Solvent]

The colored curable composition of the invention includes the (E)organic solvent.

The organic solvent is not specifically limited so long as it maysatisfy the solubility of the components existing together and thecoating property of the colored curable composition, and is preferablyselected in view of solubility of the binder, coating property andsafety.

Examples of the organic solvent include esters including ethyl acetate,n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, amyl formate, isoamyl acetate,isobutyl acetate, butyl propionate, isopropyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate,butyl butyrate, methyl lactate and ethyl lactate, oxyacetate alkylesters (e.g., methyl oxyacetate, ethyl oxyacetate and butyl oxyacetate(specifically, methyl methoxyacetate, ethyl methoxyacetate, butylmethoxyacetate, methyl ethoxyacetate and ethyl ethoxyacetate)),3-oxypropionate alkyl esters (e.g., methyl 3-oxypropionate and ethyl3-oxypropionate (specifically, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl3-methoxypropionate, methyl 3-ethoxypropionate and ethyl3-ethoxypropionate)), and 2-oxypropionate alkyl esters (e.g., methyl2-oxypropionate, ethyl 2-oxypropionate and propyl 2-oxypropionate(specifically, methyl 2-methoxypropionate, ethyl 2-methoxypropionate,propyl 2-methoxypropionate, methyl 2-ethoxypropionate and ethyl2-ethoxypropionate)), methyl 2-oxy-2-methylpropionate and ethyl2-oxy-2-methylpropionate (specifically, methyl2-methoxy-2-methylpropionate and ethyl 2-ethoxy-2-methylpropionate)),methyl pyruvate, ethyl pyruvate, propyl pyruvate, methyl acetacetate,ethyl acetacetate, methyl 2-oxobutanate, and ethyl 2-oxobutanate.

Examples of the ethers include diethylene glycol dimethyl ether,tetrahydrofuran, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycolmonoethyl ether, methyl cellosolve acetate, ethyl cellosolve acetate,diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether,diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether,propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethylether acetate and propylene glycol monopropyl ether acetate.

Examples of the ketones include methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone,2-heptanone and 3-heptanone.

Preferable examples of the aromatic hydrocarbons include toluene andxylene.

It is also preferable to mix two or more kinds of these organic solventsin view of the solubility of the above-mentioned components, and wherean alkali soluble binder is included, the solubility of the binder,improvement of the state of the surface to be coated, and the like. Inthis case, a mixed solution of two or more kinds selected from methyl3-ethoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, ethyl cellosolve acetate,ethyl lactate, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, butyl acetate, methyl3-methoxypropionate, 2-heptanone, cyclohexanone, ethyl carbitol acetate,butyl carbitol acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether and propyleneglycol methyl ether acetate, is specifically preferable.

The content of the organic solvent in the colored curable composition isan amount at which the concentration of the whole solid components inthe composition becomes preferably 10 mass % to 80 mass %, morepreferably 15 mass % to 60 mass %.

[(F) Other Components]

The colored curable composition of the invention may further includeother components including an alkali-soluble binder and a crosslinkingagent besides the above-mentioned components to the extent that theeffect of the invention is not deteriorated.

—Alkali-Soluble Binder—

The alkali-soluble binder is not specifically limited so long as it hasalkali solubility, and may be preferably selected in view of heatresistance, developing property, availability and the like.

Preferable examples of the alkali-soluble binder include a linearorganic high molecular polymer that may be dissolved in an organicsolvent and may be developed by a weak alkali aqueous solution. Examplesof such linear organic high molecular polymer include polymers havingcarboxylic acids at side chains including methacrylic acid copolymers,acrylic acid copolymers, itaconic acid copolymers, crotonic acidcopolymers, maleic acid copolymers and partially-esterified maleic acidcopolymers as described in JP-A No. 59-44615, JP-B Nos. 54-34327,58-12577 and 54-25957 and JP-A Nos. 59-53836 and 59-71048. Acidiccellulose derivatives having carboxylic acids at side chains are alsouseful.

Besides the above-mentioned binders, adducts of polymers having hydroxygroups with acid anhydrides, polyhydroxystyrene resins, polysiloxaneresins, poly(2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate), polyvinyl pyrrolidone,polyethylene oxides, polyvinyl alcohols, and the like are also useful asthe alkali-soluble binder in the invention. The linear organic highmolecular polymer may be a copolymer with a hydrophilic monomer.Examples thereof include alkoxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates, glycerol (meth)acrylates, (meth)acrylamides,N-methylolacrylamides, secondary or tertiary alkylacrylamides,dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylates, morpholine (meth)acrylates,N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylcaprolactam, vinylimidazole, vinyltriazole,methyl (meth)acrylates, ethyl (meth)acrylates, branched or straightchain propyl (meth)acrylates, branched or straight chain butyl(meth)acrylates, and phenoxyhydroxy propyl(meth)acrylates. Otherexamples of useful hydrophilic monomer include monomers including atetrahydrofurfuryl group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphoric acidester group, a quaternary ammonium salt group, an ethyleneoxy chain, apropyleneoxy chain, a sulfonic acid group or a group derived from a saltthereof, or a morpholinoethyl group.

The alkali-soluble binder may have polymerizable groups at side chainsin order to improve crosslinking efficiency. For example, polymershaving allyl groups, (meth)acryl groups, allyloxyalkyl groups or thelike at side chains, and the like are also useful. Examples of thepolymer having the polymerizable groups include commercial productsincluding KS RESIST-106 (trade name, manufactured by Osaka OrganicChemical Industry Ltd.) and CYCLOMER-P series (trade names, manufacturedby Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Furthermore, in order to improvestrength of cured films, alcohol soluble nylons and a polyether of2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and epichlorohydrin are also useful.

Among these various alkali-soluble binders, polyhydroxystyrene resins,polysiloxane resins, acrylic resins, acrylamide resins andacryl/acrylamide copolymer resins are preferable in view of heatresistance, and acrylic resins, acrylamide resins and acryl/acrylamidecopolymer resins are preferable in view of control of developingproperty.

As the acrylic resin, copolymers formed by monomers selected from benzyl(meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylic acid, hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate,(meth)acrylamide and the like, and commercial products including KSRESIST-106 (trade name, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical IndustryLtd.) and CYCLOMER-P series (trade names, manufactured by DaicelChemical Industries, Ltd.), and the like are preferable.

The alkali-soluble binder is a polymer having a weight average molecularweight (polystyrene-converted value measured by GPC) of preferably 1000to 2×10⁵, more preferably 2000 to 1×10⁵, and specifically preferably5000 to 5×10⁴, in view of developing property, liquid viscosity and thelike.

—Crosslinking Agent—

By using a crosslinking agent as a supplement in the colored curablecomposition of the invention, the hardness of the colored cured filmformed by curing the colored curable composition may further beimproved.

The crosslinking agent is not specifically limited so long as it maycure a film by crosslinking reaction, and examples include (a) an epoxyresin, (b) a melamine compound, a guanamine compound, a glycolurilcompound or an urea compound substituted by at least one substituentselected from a methylol group, an alkoxymethyl group and anacyloxymethyl group, and (c) a phenol compound, a naphthol compound or ahydroxyanthracene compound substituted by at least one substituentselected from a methylol group, an alkoxymethyl group and anacyloxymethyl group. Among these, multifunctional epoxy resins arepreferable.

With respect to the details of the specific example and the like of thecrosslinking agent, the description on the paragraphs [0134] to [0147]of JP-A No. 2004-295116 may be referred.

—Other Additives—

When needed, various additives including fillers, polymer compoundsother than those mentioned above, surfactants, adhesion acceleratingagents, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, aggregation preventingagents and development accelerators may be incorporated into the coloredcurable composition. As these additives, those described in theparagraphs [0155] to [0156] of JP-A No. 2004-295116 may be exemplified.

(Surfactant)

The colored curable composition of the invention may contain varioussurfactants from the viewpoint of improving the coatability. Examples ofthe surfactants which may be used in the invention include varioussurfactants such as a fluorine-containing surfactant, a nonionicsurfactant, a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and asilicone-based surfactant.

In particular, when the colored curable composition of the inventioncontains a fluorine-containing surfactant, the liquid properties (inparticular, fluidity) of the composition prepared as a coating liquid isimproved, thereby enabling improvement in the uniformity of the coatingthickness and the liquid saving.

That is, when a colored curable composition containing afluorine-containing surfactant is used as a coating liquid to form afilm, due to decrease in the surface tension between the surface to becoated and the coating liquid, the wettability on the surface to becoated is improved, so that the coatability on the surface to be coatedis improved. As a result, even when a thin film of several micrometersis formed with a small amount of the liquid, a film with uniformthickness may be suitably formed.

The fluorine content in the fluorine-containing surfactant is preferably3% by mass to 40% by mass, more preferably 5% by mass to 30% by mass,and particularly preferably 7% by mass to 25% by mass. Afluorine-containing surfactant having a fluorine content in this rangeis effective in the uniformity of the coating film thickness and theliquid saving, and has good solubility in the colored curablecomposition.

Examples of the fluorine-containing surfactant include MEGAFAC F171,F172, F173, F176, F177, F141, F142, F143, F144, R30, F437, F479, F482,F780 and F781 (manufactured by DIC Corporation), FLUORAD FC430, FC431and FC171 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited), SURFLON S-382, SC-101,SC-103, SC-104, SC-105, SC1068, SC-381, SC-383, 5393 and KH-40(manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), and SOLSPERSE 20000(manufactured by Zeneca).

Examples of the nonionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene laurylether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether,polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether,polyethylene glycol dilaurate, polyethylene glycol distearate, andsorbitan fatty acid ester (such as PLURONIC L10, L31, L61, L62, 10R5,17R2 and 25R2, and TETRONIC 304, 701, 704, 901, 904 and 150R1,manufactured by BASF).

Examples of the cationic surfactant include a phthalocyanine derivative(trade name: EFKA-745, manufactured by Morishita & Co., Ltd.), anorganosiloxane polymer (trade name: KP341, manufactured by Shin-EtsuChemical Co., Ltd.), a (meth)acrylic acid based (co)polymer (tradenames: POLYFLOW No. 75, No. 90, No. 95, manufactured by KyoeishaChemical Co., Ltd.), and W001 (trade name, manufactured by Yusho Co.,Ltd.).

Examples of the anionic surfactant include W004, W005 and W017 (tradenames, manufactured by Yusho Co., Ltd.).

Examples of the silicone-based surfactant include “TORAY SILICONEDC3PA”, “TORAY SILICONE SH7PA”, “TORAY SILICONE DC11PA”, “TORAY SILICONESH21PA”, “TORAY SILICONE SH28PA”, “TORAY SILICONE SH29PA”, “TORAYSILICONE SH30PA” and “TORAY SILICONE SH8400” (trade names, manufacturedby Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.), “TSF-4440”, “TSF-4300”, “TSF-4445”,“TSF-444(4)(5)(6)(7)6”, “TSF-44 60” and “TSF-4452” (trade names,manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Inc.), “KP341” (tradename, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), and “BYK323” and“BYK330” (trade names, manufactured by BYK Chemie).

Only one surfactant may be used, or two or more surfactants may be usedin combination.

(Heat Polymerization Inhibitor)

Further, the colored curable composition of the invention may includethe sensitizer and light stabilizer described in the paragraph [0078] ofJP-A No. 2004-295116 and the heat polymerization inhibitor described inthe paragraph [0081] of the same publication.

That is, in the colored curable composition of the invention, it ispreferred that a small amount of a heat polymerization inhibitor beadded in order to prevent unnecessary heat polymerization of thepolymerizable compound during manufacture or storage of the coloredcurable composition.

Examples of the heat polymerization inhibitor useful in the inventioninclude hydroquinone, p-methoxyphenol, di-t-butyl-p-cresol, pyrogallol,t-butylcatechol, benzoquinone, 4,4′-thiobis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol),2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butyl phenol), andN-nitrosophenylhydroxyamine primary cerium salt.

The addition amount of the heat polymerization inhibitor is preferablyfrom about 0.01% to about 5% by mass with respect to the mass of thecolored curable composition.

(Development Accelerator)

Furthermore, when acceleration of the alkali solubility of non-exposedareas and further improvement of the developing property of the coloredcurable composition are intended, an organic carboxylic acid having amolecular weight of 1000 or less, or a glycerol propoxylate having amolecular weight of from 300 to 5000, such as a glycerol propoxylate (Mw1500), a glycerol propoxylate (Mw 1000), a glycerol propoxylate (Mw 750)or a glycerol propoxylate (Mw 4100), may be added to the composition.

Specific examples of the organic carboxylic acid having a molecularweight of 1000 or less include aliphatic monocarboxylic acids includingformic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid,pivalic acid, caproic acid, diethyl acetate, enanthic acid and capricacid; aliphatic dicarboxylic acids including oxalic acid, malonic acid,succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimeric acid, suberic acid,azelaic acid, sebacic acid, brassylic acid, methyl malonic acid, ethylmalonic acid, dimethyl malonic acid, methyl succinic acid, tetramethylsuccinic acid and citraconic acid; aliphatic tricarboxylic acidsincluding tricarbaryl acid, aconitic acid and camphoronic acid; aromaticmonocarboxylic acids including benzoic acid, toluic acid, cuminic acid,hemellitic acid and mesitylenic acid; aromatic polycarboxylic acidsincluding phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid,trimellitic acid, trimesic acid, mellophanic acid and pyromellitic acid;and other carboxylic acids including phenyl acetic acid, hydroatropicacid, hydrocinnamic acid, mandelic acid, phenylsuccinic acid, atropicacid, cinnamic acid, methyl cinnamate, benzyl cinnamate, cinnamylideneacetic acid, coumaric acid and umbellic acid.

[Preparation Method of Colored Curable Composition]

The colored curable composition of the invention is prepared by mixingthe above-mentioned essential components, and optional components whenneeded.

During the preparation of the colored curable composition, thecomponents for the colored curable composition may be mixed at one time,or the components may be each dissolved or dispersed in a solvent andmixed successively. The order of addition during mixing and operationcondition are not specifically limited. For example, the composition maybe prepared by simultaneously dissolving or dispersing all components ina solvent, or when needed, the components may be suitably prepared intotwo or more solutions or dispersion liquids that are mixed before use(at the time of coating) to prepare a composition.

The colored curable composition prepared as above may be filtered usinga filter or the like having a pore diameter of preferably about 0.01 μmto 3.0 μm, more preferably about 0.05 μm to 0.5 μm, and subjected touse.

Since the colored curable composition of the invention has excellentstorage stability, and may form colored cured films having excellentlight resistance, it may be used for forming colored pixels for colorfilters used for liquid crystal display devices (LCD) and solid-stateimage pickup devices (e.g., CCD, CMOS and the like), and for use inpreparation of print ink, inkjet ink, paint and the like. Specifically,it may be used for forming colored pixels for solid-state image pickupdevices including CCD and CMOS.

<<Color Filter and Production Method Therefor>>

Next, a method for producing a color filter using the colored curablecomposition of the invention (method for producing the color filter ofthe invention) is explained.

The method for producing the color filter of the invention includes (A)a step of applying the colored curable composition of the invention ontoa support to form a colored curable composition layer, and (B) a step ofexposing the colored curable composition layer formed in the step (A)via a mask, and developing the layer to form a colored pattern.

It is preferable that the method for producing the color filter of theinvention further includes (C) a step of irradiating the colored patternformed in the step (B) with ultraviolet radiation, and (D) a step ofheat-treating the colored pattern on which ultraviolet radiation hasbeen irradiated in the step (C).

Hereinafter the method for producing the color filter of the inventionis explained more specifically.

—Step (A)—

In the method for producing the color filter of the invention, thecolored curable composition of the invention as mentioned above is firstapplied onto a support by a coating process such as spin coating,casting coating, roll coating or the like to form a colored curablecomposition layer, and when needed, subjected to preliminary curing(pre-baking) to dry the colored curable composition layer.

Examples of the support used for the production method of the colorfilter of the invention include soda glass, alkali-free glass,borosilicate glass (PYREX® glass) and quartz glass used for liquidcrystal display devices and the like, and those glass materials on whicha transparent electroconductive film has been adhered, opto-electronicconversion device substrates used for solid-state image pickup devicesincluding silicon substrates, and complementary metal oxide filmsemiconductor (CMOS) substrates. Black stripes for separating pixels maybe formed on these substrates. When needed, a primer layer may be formedon these substrates in order to improve adhesion to the upper layer,prevent diffusion of the materials, or planalize the surface.

A coating film of the colored curable composition may be formed byapplying the colored curable composition of the invention directly orvia another layer onto a substrate by a coating process such as spincoating, slit coating, casting coating, roll coating, bar coating,inkjet coating or the like.

When the colored curable composition is spin-coated on the support, thecolored curable composition may conform well to the support by addingdropwise a suitable organic solvent and rotating prior to dropwiseaddition of the colored curable composition so as to decrease the amountof the liquid to be added dropwise.

The conditions for the pre-baking may include a condition in whichheating is performed using a hot plate or an oven at 70° C. to 130° C.for about 0.5 minute to 15 minutes.

The thickness of the colored curable composition layer formed by thecolored curable composition is suitably selected according to thepurpose. Generally, in a color filter for a solid-state image pickupdevice or the like, it is preferably 0.2 μm to 5.0 μm, more preferably0.3 μm to 2.5 μm, and most preferably 0.3 μm to 1.5 μm. In a colorfilter for a liquid crystal display device or the like, it is preferably0.2 μm to 5.0 μm, more preferably 1.0 μm to 4.0 μm, and most preferably1.5 μm to 3.5 μm. The thickness of the colored curable composition layeras used herein is a film thickness after pre-baking.

—Step (B)—

Next, in the production method of the color filter of the invention, thecolored curable composition layer formed on the support is exposed via amask.

The light or radiation that may be applied to this exposing ispreferably g-ray, h-ray, i-ray, KrF ray or ArF ray, specificallypreferably i-ray. When i-ray is used as irradiation light, it ispreferable to irradiate by an exposure amount of 100 mJ/cm² to 10000mJ/cm².

Examples of other usable exposure radiation source include an ultrahighpressure, high pressure, medium pressure or low pressure mercury lamp, achemical lamp, a carbon-arc lamp, a xenon lamp, a metal halide lamp,visible and ultraviolet laser sources, a fluorescent lamp, a tungstenlamp, and sunlight.

(Exposure Step Using Laser Source)

In the exposure step using a laser source in the invention, anultraviolet laser may be used as a light source. Laser is an acronym ofLight Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The oscillatorand amplifier of the laser utilize the phenomenon of induced emissionthat occurs in a substance with population inversion, and generatemonochromatic light having higher coherency and directionality byamplification and oscillation of light wave. Examples of the excitationmedium of the laser include crystal, glass, liquid, dye and gas, and aknown laser having an oscillation wavelength in the ultraviolet region,such as a solid laser, a liquid laser, a gas laser, or a semiconductorlaser, may be used. Among them, a solid laser and a gas laser arepreferable from the viewpoint of laser output and oscillationwavelength.

With respect to the wavelength of the laser, an ultraviolet laser havinga wavelength of preferably from 300 nm to 380 nm and more preferablyfrom 300 nm to 360 nm is preferable, because such a wavelengthcorresponds to the photosensitive wavelength of the resist.

Specifically, an Nd:YAG laser (third harmonic: 355 nm), which is arelatively cheap solid laser with particularly high out put, and aneximer laser (XeCl: 308 nm, XeF: 353 nm) may be preferably used.

The exposure amount of a body to be exposed (a pattern) is preferablyform 1 mJ/cm² to 100 mJ/cm², and more preferably form 1 mJ/cm² to 50mJ/cm². This range of the exposure amount is preferable in terms of theproductivity of the formed pattern.

The exposing apparatus which may be used in the invention is notparticularly limited, and examples thereof include commerciallyavailable apparatuses such as Callisto (trade name, manufactured by VTechnology Co., Ltd.), EGIS (trade name, manufactured by V TechnologyCo., Ltd.) and DF2200G (trade name, manufactured by Dainippon ScreenMfg. Co., Ltd.), and other apparatuses may also be preferably used.

A light-emitting diode (LED) and a laser diode (LD) may be used as anactive radiation source. Specifically, when an ultraviolet radiationsource is necessary, an ultraviolet LED and an ultraviolet LD may beused. For example, Nichia Corporation places an ultraviolet LED having amain emission spectrum in a wavelength range of between 365 nm and 420nm on the market. When a further shorter wavelength is necessary, an LEDdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,250 may be used which may emit activeradiation centered at between 300 nm and 370 nm. Another ultraviolet LEDmay also available which may irradiate radiation of a differentultraviolet range. The active radiation source in the present inventionis preferably a UV-LED and particularly preferably a UV-LED having apeak wavelength of from 340 nm to 370 nm.

An ultraviolet laser has good linearity, and thus may perform patternexposure without a mask. However, a mask is preferably used duringpattern exposure because the linearity of the pattern is furtherimproved.

The exposed colored curable composition layer may be heated using a hotplate or an oven at 70° C. to 180° C. for about 0.5 minutes to 15minutes prior to the subsequent developing treatment.

Furthermore, exposing may be performed while nitrogen gas is flowing ina chamber so as to suppress oxidation discoloration of the coloringmaterial in the colored curable composition layer.

Subsequently, the exposed colored curable composition layer is developedusing a developer. In this way, a negative-type or positive-type coloredpattern (resist pattern) may be formed.

A combination of various organic solvents or an alkaline aqueoussolutions may be used as a developer so long as it dissolves uncuredparts (unexposed parts) and does not dissolve cured parts (exposedparts) in the colored curable composition layer. When the developer isan alkaline aqueous solution, it is preferable to adjust the alkaliconcentration to preferably pH 11 to 13, more preferably pH 11.5 to12.5.

Examples of the alkaline aqueous solution include an alkaline aqueoussolution of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate,sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate,ammonia, ethylamine, diethylamine, dimethylethanolamine,tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, choline,pyrrole, piperidine, or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene.

Specifically, an alkaline aqueous solution in which the concentration oftetraethylammonium hydroxide has been adjusted to 0.001 mass % to 10mass %, preferably 0.01 mass % to 5 mass % may be used as a developer.

The developing time is preferably 30 seconds to 300 seconds, morepreferably 30 seconds to 120 seconds. The developing temperature ispreferably 20° C. to 40° C., more preferably 23° C.

Developing may be performed by using a paddle system, a shower system, aspray system or the like.

It is preferable that washing is performed by using water afterdeveloping using an alkali aqueous solution. A washing system is alsosuitably selected according to the purpose, and rinse treatment may beperformed by rotating a support such as a silicon wafer at a revolutionof 10 rpm to 500 rpm and supplying pure water in shower state from aspray nozzle from the above of the revolution center.

Thereafter, in the production method of the color filter of theinvention, the colored pattern formed by developing may be subjected topost-heating and/or post-exposure to accelerate curing of the coloredpattern when needed.

—Step (C)—

Specifically, in the production method of the color filter of theinvention, the colored pattern (pixel) formed by the colored curablecomposition of the invention may be subjected to post-exposure byirradiation of ultraviolet radiation, whereby color transfer to theadjacent pixels and to the laminated upper and lower layers may beeffectively suppressed. The color transfer is an inherent problem thatoccurs when a dye such as the specific complex is used as a coloringmaterial as in the colored curable composition of the invention. Thecolor transfer may be decreased by post-exposure by ultravioletradiation irradiation as mentioned below.

(Post-Exposure by Ultraviolet Radiation Irradiation)

In post-exposure by ultraviolet radiation irradiation, it is preferablethat a colored pattern that has been subjected to a developing treatmentas mentioned above is irradiated with ultraviolet light (UV light)having an irradiation light amount [mJ/cm²] of 10 or more times as largeas an exposure amount [mJ/cm²] in the exposing treatment prior to thedevelopment.

By irradiating the developed colored pattern with ultraviolet light (UVlight) for a predetermined time period at between the developingtreatment and the heat treatment by the step (D) mentioned below, colortransfer during the subsequent heating may be effectively prevented, andlight resistance is improved.

As a light source for irradiating ultraviolet light, for example, anultra high pressure mercury lamp, a high pressure mercury lamp, a lowpressure mercury lamp, a DEEP UV lamp or the like may be used. Amongthese, a light source that irradiates ultraviolet light including lightat a wavelength of 275 nm or less, and may irradiate light in which anirradiation illuminance [mW/cm²] of the light at a wavelength of 275 nmor less is 5% or more with respect to the integral irradiationilluminance of the light at whole wavelengths in the ultraviolet lightis preferable. By adjusting the irradiation illuminance of the light ata wavelength of 275 nm or less in the ultraviolet light to 5% or more,effect of suppressing color transfer to the adjacent pixels and theupper and lower layer and effect of improving light resistance may befurther improved.

From these viewpoints, it is preferable that the post-exposure byultraviolet radiation irradiation is performed by using a light sourcethat differs from the light source (such as i-ray) used in the exposingin the step (B), specifically a high pressure mercury lamp, a lowpressure mercury lamp or the like. Among these, for the same reason asmentioned above, the irradiation illuminance [mW/cm²] of the light at awavelength of 275 nm or less is preferably 7% or more with respect tothe integral irradiation illuminance of the light at whole wavelengthsin the ultraviolet light. Furthermore, it is desirable that the upperlimit of the irradiation illuminance of the light at a wavelength of 275nm or less is 25% or less.

The integral irradiation illuminance refers to a sum (area) ofilluminances of lights of wavelengths included in irradiated light whena curve is drawn by taking an illuminance for every spectral wavelength(radiation energy for passing through a unit area in a unit time period;[mW/m²]) as a vertical axis and the wavelength [nm] of the light as ahorizontal axis.

It is preferable that ultraviolet light is irradiated by an irradiationlight amount [mJ/cm²] of 10 or more times as large as the exposureamount during the exposure in the step (B). When the irradiated lightamount in the step (C) is less than 10 times as large as the exposureamount during the exposure in the step (B), color transfer to adjacentpixels and to upper and lower layers may not be prevented, and lightresistance may be deteriorated.

Among these, the irradiation light amount of ultraviolet light ispreferably 12 or more times and 200 or less times, more preferably 15 ormore times and 100 or less times as large as the exposure amount duringthe exposure in the step (B).

In this case, the integral irradiation illuminance in the irradiatedultraviolet light is preferably 200 mW/cm² or more. When the integralirradiation illuminance is 200 mW/cm² or more, effect of suppressingcolor transfer to adjacent pixels and upper and lower layers and effectof improving light resistance may be improved more effectively. Amongthese, 250 mW/cm² to 2000 mW/cm² is preferable, and 300 mW/cm² to 1000mW/cm² is more preferable.

—Step (D)—

It is preferable that the colored pattern that has been subjected topost-exposure by ultraviolet radiation irradiation as mentioned above issubjected to heat treatment. By heating (so-called post-baking) theformed colored pattern, the colored pattern may further be cured.

This heat treatment may be performed by using, for example, a hot plate,various heaters, an oven or the like.

The temperature for the heat treatment is preferably 100° C. to 300° C.,more preferably 150° C. to 250° C. The heating time is preferably 30seconds to 30000 seconds, more preferably 60 seconds to 1000 seconds.

In the production method of the color filter of the invention, insteadof the post-exposure by ultraviolet radiation irradiation as in theabove-mentioned step (C), post-exposure by g-ray, h-ray, i-ray, KrF,ArF, electron beam or X-ray may be performed.

In the case of the post-exposure by these means, the irradiation timemay be 10 seconds to 180 seconds, preferably 20 seconds to 120 seconds,further preferably 30 seconds to 60 seconds.

Alternatively, in the production method of the color filter of theinvention, only the post-heating as in the above-mentioned step (D) maybe performed without performing the post-exposure by ultravioletradiation irradiation as in the above-mentioned step (C).

Although either the post-exposure or post-heating may be performedfirst, it is preferable to perform the post-exposure prior to thepost-heating. In this case, by accelerating curing by the post-exposure,deformation due to heat sagging (change of a rectangular pattern into aspherical shape) and bottom spreading (reflowing of the lower part ofthe pattern) of the colored pattern that are observed in the subsequentpost-heating step may be suppressed.

The thus-obtained colored pattern constitutes pixels of the colorfilter.

In the preparation of a color filter having pixels of plural hues, theabove-mentioned steps (A) and (B), and optionally steps (C) and (D), maybe repeated according to the desired numbers of colors.

The above-mentioned step (C) and/or step (D) may be performed after eachcompletion of formation, exposure and development of a monochromaticcurable composition layer (each color), or the above-mentioned step (C)and/or step (D) may be performed collectively after completion offormation, exposure and development of colored curable compositionlayers for all desired number of colors.

The color filter obtained by the production method of the color filterof the invention (the color filter of the invention) is excellent inlight resistance since the colored curable composition of the inventionis used.

Therefore, the color filter of the invention may be used for liquidcrystal display devices, and solid-state image pickup devices includingCCD image sensors and CMOS image sensors, and camera systems using them.Among these, it is preferable for use in a solid-state image pickupdevice in which a colored pattern with a minute size is formed on a thinfilm and a good rectangular cross-sectional profile is required,specifically for uses in CCD devices, CMOS and the like having highresolutions of more than 1,000,000 pixels.

<<Solid-State Image Pickup Device>>

The solid-state image pickup device of the invention includes the colorfilter of the invention. Since the color filter of the invention hashigh light resistance, a solid-state image pickup device including thiscolor filter may provide excellent color reproducibility.

The configuration of the solid-state image pickup device is notspecifically limited so long as it is a configuration that includes thecolor filter of the invention and acts as a solid-state image pickupdevice, and examples may include the following configuration.

Namely, it is a configuration including a support, plural photodiodesthat constitute a light receiving area for a CCD image sensor(solid-state image pickup device) and transfer electrodes includingpolysilicon and the like formed on the support, the color filter of theinvention formed thereon, and a microlens laminated thereon.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the camera system including the colorfilter of the invention includes a camera lens and an IR cut film thatinclude dichroic-coated cover glass, microlens and the like in view ofdiscoloration property of the coloring material, and that the materialstherefor have an optical property to absorb a part or all parts of UVlight of 400 nm or less. Furthermore, it is preferable that thestructure of the camera system is a structure that decreases oxygenpermeability to the color filter so as to suppress oxidationdiscoloration of the color material. For example, it is preferable thata part or all parts of the camera system is sealed with nitrogen gas.

<Liquid Crystal Display Device>

The color filter of the invention is excellent in hue and has coloredpixels without chipping, peeling or unevenness, and thus is suitable asa color filter for a liquid crystal display device.

A liquid crystal display device having such a color filter may display ahigh quality image.

The definition of a display device and the explanation of each displaydevice are described, for example, in “Electronic Display Device (AkioSasaki, Kogyo Chosakai Publishing Co., Ltd., 1990”, “Display Device(Sumiaki Ibuki, Sangyo Tosho Publishing Co., Ltd., 1989)” and the like.Liquid crystal display devices are described, for example, in “NextGeneration Liquid Crystal Display Techniques (Tatsuo Uchida, KogyoChosakai Publishing Co., Ltd., 1994)”. The liquid crystal display deviceto which the invention may be applied is not specifically limited, andthe invention may be applied to various liquid crystal display devicesdescribed, for example, in the above “Next Generation Liquid CrystalDisplay Techniques”.

The color filter of the invention is particularly effective in a colorTFT liquid crystal display device. Color TFT liquid crystal displaydevices are described, for example, in “Color TFT Liquid Crystal Display(Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd., 1996)”. Further, the invention may beapplied to a liquid crystal display device with a wider view angle suchas an in-plane switching (IPS) system or a multi-domain verticalalignment (MVA) system, or STN, TN, VA, OCS, FFS, R-OCB and the like.

The color filter of the invention may also be applied to a COA(Color-filter On Array) system, which has high brightness and highdefinition. In the COA type liquid crystal display device, the colorfilter layer should satisfy normal requirements as mentioned above, andfurther requirements for an interlayer dielectric film such as lowdielectric constant and resistance to a removing liquid. By selectingthe UV laser exposure method and the color and the film thickness of thepixels in the invention, the transmittance of the UV laser as anexposure light through the color filter of the invention may beincreased. As a result, the curability of the colored pixels is improvedto enable formation of pixels without chipping, peeling or unevenness,so that the resistance to a removing liquid is particularly improved inthe colored layer provided directly or indirectly on the TFT substrate,and therefore the color filter of the invention is useful for the COAtype liquid crystal display device. In order to satisfy the requirementof low dielectric constant, a resin coating may be provided on the colorfilter layer.

In the colored layer formed according to the COA system, in order toelectrically connecting the ITO electrode disposed on the colored layerand the terminal of the driving substrate disposed below the coloredlayer, an electrically-conducting path such as a rectangular throughhole having a side length of about 1 to 15 μm or a U-shaped depressedarea should be formed, in which the size (that is, the side length) ofthe electrically-conducting path is preferably 5 μm or less. In thepresent invention, an electrically-conducting path having a size of 5 μmor less may also be formed.

These image display systems are describe, for example, on page 43 of“EL, PDP, LCD Display—Latest Current of Technique and Market (ResearchStudy Division of Toray Research Center, Inc., 2001)” and the like.

The liquid crystal display device of the invention includes not only thecolor filter of the invention but also various members such as anelectrode substrate, a polarization film, a phase difference film, aback light, a spacer, and a view angle compensation film. The colorfilter of the invention may be applied to a liquid crystal displaydevice including these various known members.

These members are described, for example, in “'94 Market of LiquidCrystal Display Related Materials And Chemicals (Kentaro Shima, CMCPublishing CO., LTD., 1994)” and “2003 Current State And Perspective OfLiquid Crystal Related Market (Ryokichi Omote, Fuji Chimera ResearchInstitute, Inc., 2003)”.

Back lights are described, for example, in SID meeting Digest 1380(2005) (A. Konno et. al) and Monthly Display, 2005 December, pages 18-24(Hiroyasu Shima) and pages 25-30 (Takaaki Yagi).

When the color filter of the invention is used in a liquid crystaldisplay device, high contrast may be obtained in combination with aconventionally known three-wavelength cold-cathode tube, but by usingred, green and blue LED light sources (RGB-LED) as a back light, aliquid crystal display device having high brightness, high color purity,and good color reproducibility may be provided.

According to the invention, for example, the following exemplaryembodiments <1> to <12> may be provided.

<1> A colored curable composition comprising at least (A-1) a complexcomprising a compound represented by the following formula (I) and ametal atom or a metal compound, (A-2) a phthalocyanine pigment, (B) adispersing agent, (C) a polymerizable compound, (D) aphotopolymerization initiator, and (E) an organic solvent:

wherein R¹ to R⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or asubstituent; and R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkylgroup, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

<2> The colored curable composition of <1>, wherein the (D)photopolymerization initiator is an oxime compound.

<3> The colored curable composition of <1> or <2>, wherein the (A-1)complex comprising the compound represented by the formula (I) and themetal atom or the metal compound is a compound represented by thefollowing formula (II-1):

wherein R¹ to R⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or asubstituent; R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkylgroup, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; Ma represents a metal atomor a metal compound; X² represents a group that is necessary forneutralizing the charge of Ma; and X¹ represents a group capable ofbonding to Ma, wherein X¹ and X² may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6-or 7-membered ring.

<4> The colored curable composition of <1> or <2>, wherein the (A-1)complex comprising the compound represented by the formula (I) and themetal atom or the metal compound is a compound represented by thefollowing formula (II-2):

wherein R¹ to R⁶ and R⁸ to R¹³ each independently represent a hydrogenatom or a substituent; R⁷ and R¹⁴ each independently represent ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or aheterocyclic group; and Ma represents a metal atom or a metal compound.

<5> The colored curable composition of <1> or <2>, wherein the (A-1)complex comprising the compound represented by the formula (I) and themetal atom or the metal compound is a compound represented by thefollowing formula (III):

wherein: R² to R⁵ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or asubstituent; R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkylgroup, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; Ma represents a metal atomor a metal compound; X³ represents NR (wherein R represents a hydrogenatom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclicgroup, an acyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group or an arylsulfonyl group),a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; X⁴ represents NRa(wherein Ra represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenylgroup, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an acyl group, analkylsulfonyl group or an arylsulfonyl group), an oxygen atom or asulfur atom; Y¹ represents NRc (wherein Rc represents a hydrogen atom,an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group,an acyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group or an arylsulfonyl group), anitrogen atom or a carbon atom; Y² represents a nitrogen atom or acarbon atom; R⁸ and R⁹ each independently represent an alkyl group, analkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an alkoxy group, anaryloxy group, an alkylamino group, an arylamino group or a heterocyclicamino group; R⁸ and Y¹ may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6- or7-membered ring; R⁹ and Y² may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6- or7-membered ring; X⁵ represents a group capable of bonding to Ma; and arepresents 0, 1 or 2.

<6> The colored curable composition of <1> or <2>, wherein the metalatom or the metal compound is any one of Fe, Zn, Co, V═O or Cu.

<7> The colored curable composition of <1> or <2>, wherein each of R³and R⁴ in the formula (I) is a phenyl group.

<8> A method for producing a color filter, comprising:

(A) applying the colored curable composition of any one of <1> to <7>onto a support to form a colored curable composition layer, and

(B) exposing the colored curable composition layer formed in (A) via amask, and developing the layer to form a colored pattern.

<9> The method for producing a color filter of <8>, further comprising:

(C) irradiating the colored pattern formed in (B) with ultravioletradiation, and

(D) subjecting the colored pattern on which ultraviolet radiation hasbeen irradiated in (C) to heat treatment.

<10> A color filter produced by the method for producing a color filterof <8> or <9>.

<11> A solid-state image pickup device comprising the color filter of<10>.

<12> A liquid crystal display device comprising the color filter of<10>.

Therefore, according to the invention, there may be provide a coloredcurable composition that is excellent in storage stability and may forma colored cured film having high light resistance.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a color filter having excellentlight resistance, a method for producing the color filter, and asolid-state image pickup device and a liquid crystal display deviceincluding the color filter may be provided.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter the present invention is further specifically explained bythe Examples, but the invention should not be limited to the followingExamples. Unless otherwise mentioned, “parts” and “%” are based on mass.

Example 1 1. Preparation of Colored Curable Composition

The following components are dispersed and dissolved by mixing to give acolored curable composition.

Cyclohexanone (hereinafter referred to as “CyH”) 1.133 parts Copolymerof benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid 20% 1.009 parts CyH solution(molar ratio = 70:30, weight average molecular weight: 30000)Fluorine-containing surfactant (trade name: SOLSPERSE 0.125 parts 20000,manufactured by Zeneca) 1% CyH solution Oxime photopolymerizationinitiator (a compound having 0.087 parts the following structure)Specific complex (Exemplified compound Ia-5) 0.183 parts PigmentBlue-15:6 dispersion liquid 2.418 parts (solid content concentration:17.70%, pigment concentration: 11.80%) Glycerol propoxylate 1% CyHsolution 0.048 parts

The above Pigment Blue-15:6 dispersion liquid was prepared by dispersingthe following composition with 0.5 mm zirconia beads using a dispersingmachine (trade name: DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) for 2 hours.

Colorant: Pigment Blue-15:6 59.00 parts Resin solution (Benzylmethacrylate/methacrylic acid 19.65 parts copolymer, molar ratio =80:20, Mw: 10000, resin solid content concentration: 30%, solvent:propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (hereinafter referred to as“PGMEA”) 70%) Solvent: PGMEA 342.7 parts Dispersing agent (trade name:BYK-161, manufactured by 78.65 parts BYK) 30% solution (solvent: PGMEAand butyl acetate)

2. Evaluation of Storage Stability

The colored curable composition obtained in the above 1. was stored forone month at room temperature, and thereafter the degree ofprecipitation was evaluated by visual observation according to thefollowing evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.

A: Precipitation was not observed.

B: Precipitation was slightly observed.

C: Precipitation was observed.

3. Preparation of Monochromatic Color Filter and Evaluation of LightResistance

The colored curable composition obtained in the above 1. was appliedonto a glass substrate using a spin coater so that the film thicknessafter drying became 0.6 μm, and pre-baked at 100° C. for 120 seconds togive a monochromatic color filter for evaluation of light resistance.

The obtained monochromatic color filter for evaluation of lightresistance was irradiated with a xenon lamp at 100,000 lux for 20 hours(corresponding to 2,000,000 lux·h). The color difference (ΔE*ab value)of the monochromatic color filter before and after irradiation with thexenon lamp was measured and used as an index of light resistance. Thesmaller the ΔE*ab value is, the better the light resistance is, and theevaluation criteria is as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

—Evaluation Criteria—

A: ΔE*ab value <1

B: 1≦ΔE*ab value <3

C: 3≦ΔE*ab value ≦10

D: 10<ΔE*ab value

Examples 2 to 26, and Comparative Examples 1 to 5

Colored curable compositions were prepared in a similar manner toExample 1, expect that the “specific complex (Exemplified CompoundIa-5)” in the colored curable composition of Example 1 was changed toExemplified Compound or Comparative Colorant A described in thefollowing Table 1, and the “Pigment Blue-15:6” was not added or wassuitably changed to the pigment or Comparative Colorant B described inthe following Table 1.

For the obtained colored curable compositions, storage stability wasevaluated in a similar manner to Example 1. Furthermore, monochromaticcolor filters were prepared using the obtained colored curablecompositions in a similar manner to Example 1, and light resistance wasevaluated for the monochromatic color filters in a similar manner toExample 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

As Pigment Blue-15 used in Examples 23 and 25, a Pigment Blue-15dispersion liquid was used which was prepared in a similar manner to theabove Pigment Blue-15:6 dispersion liquid except that Pigment Blue-15:6was changed to Pigment Blue-15 in the preparation of the PigmentBlue-15:6 dispersion liquid.

As Pigment Blue-15:3 used in Examples 24 and 26, a Pigment Blue-15:3dispersion liquid was used which was prepared in a similar manner to theabove Pigment Blue-15:6 dispersion liquid except that Pigment Blue-15:6was changed to Pigment Blue-15:3 in the preparation of the PigmentBlue-15:6 dispersion liquid.

In Comparative Examples 1 to 5, colored curable compositions in whichthe solid concentration of the pigment and/or dye had been adjusted tobe the same as that of the colored curable composition of Example 1 asfollows were used.

In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the dispersion liquid of PigmentBlue-15:6 used in Example 1 was replaced with a 20% CyH solution ofbenzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer to adjust the solidcontent concentration of the dye (III-47 or C. I. Acid Violet-17).

In Comparative Example 3, a dye (CB-34) was used in an amountcorresponding to the pigment content in the dispersion liquid of PigmentBlue-15:6 used in Example 1, and the part other than the pigment in thedispersion liquid was replaced with a 20% CyH solution of benzylmethacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer to adjust the solidconcentration of the dye (CB-34).

In Comparative Example 4, the specific complex (Exemplified CompoundIa-5) used in Example 1 was replaced with C. I. Acid Violet-17.

In Comparative Example 5, a dispersion liquid of Pigment Violet-23(solid content concentration: 17.70%, pigment concentration: 11.80%) wasadded so that the amount of the pigment (Pigment Violet-23) becamesimilar to the amount of the specific complex (Exemplified CompoundIa-5) used in Example 1, and in accordance with this, the 20% CyHsolution of benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer was decreasedto adjust the solid content concentration of the pigment (PigmentViolet-23).

As the Pigment Violet-23 dispersion liquid, a Pigment Violet-23dispersion liquid was used which was prepared in a similar manner to theabove Pigment Blue-15:6 dispersion liquid except that Pigment Blue-15:6was changed to Pigment Violet-23 in the preparation of the PigmentBlue-15:6 dispersion liquid.

TABLE 1 Specific complex or Phthalocyanine pigment or Light StorageComparative colorant A Comparative colorant B resistance stabilityExample 1 Ia-5 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 2 Ia-21 Pigment Blue-15:6 BA Example 3 Ia-31 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 4 Ia-A Pigment Blue-15:6B A Example 5 II-1 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 6 II-7 PigmentBlue-15:6 A A Example 7 II-4 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 8 II-APigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 9 III-1 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 10III-3 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 11 III-5 Pigment Blue-15:6 B AExample 12 III-A Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 13 III-45 PigmentBlue-15:6 A A Example 14 III-47 Pigment Blue-15:6 A A Example 15 III-65Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 16 III-68 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 17III-69 Pigment Blue-15:6 A A Example 18 III-70 Pigment Blue-15:6 B AExample 19 III-B Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 20 III-90 PigmentBlue-15:6 B A Example 21 III-93 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 22 III-CPigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 23 III-5 Pigment Blue-15 B A Example 24III-5 Pigment Blue-15:3 B A Example 25 III-47 Pigment Blue-15 A AExample 26 III-47 Pigment Blue-15:3 A A Comparative III-47 — D C Example1 Comparative C.I. Acid Violet-17 — D C Example 2 Comparative III-47CB-34 D C Example 3 Comparative C.I. Acid Violet-17 Pigment Blue-15:6 DC Example 4 Comparative Pigment Violet-23 Pigment Blue-15:6 C C Example5

The CB-34 used as Comparative colorant B described in Table 1 is aphthalocyanine dye having the following structure.

As is apparent from Table 1, it is recognized that a colored curablecomposition using the specific complex and a phthalocyanine pigment incombination has excellent storage stability, and that a monochromaticcolor filter formed using the colored curable composition has excellentlight resistance.

Examples 8.2 to 14.2

Colored curable compositions of Examples 8.2 to 14.2 were prepared in asimilar manner to Examples 8 to 14, except that the 20% CyH solution ofthe copolymer of benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid was changed to a20% CyH solution of a polymerizable compound having a structure shownbelow.

The light resistance and the storage stability were evaluated in asimilar manner to Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Specific Phthalocyanine Light Storage complex pigment resistancestability Example 8.2 II-A Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 9.2 III-1Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 10.2 III-3 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example11.2 III-5 Pigment Blue-15:6 B A Example 12.2 III-A Pigment Blue-15:6 BA Example 13.2 III-45 Pigment Blue-15:6 A A Example 14.2 III-47 PigmentBlue-15:6 A A

From the Table 2, it is understood that even if the copolymer of benzylmethacrylate/methacrylic acid was changed to the above polymerizablecompound, the colored curable composition is excellent in lightresistance and storage stability.

Example 27

A 6 inch silicon wafer was subjected to heat treatment in an oven at200° C. for 30 minutes. A resist liquid in which the components shownbelow had been dissolved by mixing was then applied onto the siliconwafer so that the dry film thickness became 1.0 μm, and further dried inan oven at 220° C. for 1 hour to form a primer layer, whereby a siliconwafer substrate with a primer layer was obtained.

PGMEA 19.20 parts Ethyl lactate (hereinafter referred to as “EL”) 36.67parts Binder: (benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid/2- 30.51 partshydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymer (molar ratio = 60:20:20) 41% ELsolution Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate 12.20 parts Polymerizationinhibitor (p-methoxyphenol) 0.0061 parts  Fluorine-containing surfactant(trade name: MEGAFAC  0.83 parts F482, manufactured by DIC Corporation)Photopolymerization initiator: 0.586 parts2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-4,6,-bis(trichloromethyl)- 1,3,5-triazine(trade name: TAZ-107, manufactured by Midori Kagaku Co., Ltd.)

The colored curable composition used in Examples 1 to 26 was appliedonto the primer layer of the obtained silicon wafer substrate with aprimer layer so that the dried film thickness for each coating filmbecame 0.6 μm to form a photocurable coating film (colored curablecomposition layer). Heat treatment (pre-baking) was then performed usinga hot plate at 100° C. for 120 seconds. Next, the resulting coating filmwas irradiated with light at a wavelength of 365 nm through an islandpattern mask having a 1.2 μm-square pattern using an i-raystepper-exposing apparatus (trade name: FPA-3000i5+, manufactured byCanon Inc.) while the exposure amount was changed by 100 mJ/cm² in therange of 100 mJ/cm² to 2500 mJ/cm². Thereafter, the silicon wafersubstrate on which the irradiated coating film had been formed wasplaced on a horizontal rotary table of a spin-shower developing machine(trade name: MODEL DW-30, manufactured by Chemitronics Co., Ltd.) andsubjected to paddle development at 23° C. for 60 seconds using CD-2000(trade name, manufactured by Fujifilm Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.) toform a blue colored pattern on the silicon wafer substrate.

—Formation of Color Filter—

The silicon wafer substrate on which a blue colored pattern had beenformed was fixed on the horizontal rotary table in a vacuum chuck mode,subjected to a rinse treatment by feeding pure water from an ejectionnozzle in shower state from the upper side of the rotation center whilethe silicon wafer substrate is rotated by a rotation apparatus at arevolution number of 50 rpm, and then spray dried to give a colorfilter.

It was found that each of the formed blue colored patterns showed asquare good profile having a rectangular cross-section and was a colorfilter suitable for a solid-state image pickup device.

Examples 28 to 53 1. Preparation of Colored Curable Composition

Colored curable compositions similar to Examples 1 to 26 were prepared.The specific complexes and phthalocyanine pigments included in thecolored curable compositions of Examples 28 to 53 are shown in thefollowing Table 3.

Using these colored curable compositions, color filters were preparedaccording to the following procedures, and color transfer and developingresidue were evaluated.

2. Preparation of Monochromatic Color Filter

(Preparation of Silicon Wafer with Primer Layer)

A solution of a resist (trade name: CT-2000L, manufactured by FujifilmElectronic Materials Co., Ltd.; primer transparent agent) was appliedonto a silicon wafer using a spin coater so that the film thicknessbecame 2 μm, and dried at 220° C. for 1 hour to form a primer layer,whereby a silicon wafer with a primer layer was obtained.

(Exposure and Development of Colored Curable Composition)

Next, each of the colored curable compositions prepared as above wasapplied onto the primer layer of the obtained silicon wafer with theprimer layer using a spin coater so that the dried film thickness became1 μm, and pre-baked at 100° C. for 120 seconds to form a colored curablecomposition layer on the silicon wafer.

The colored curable composition layer was subjected to pattern exposingat an illuminance of 1200 mW/cm² (integral irradiation illuminance) byan exposure amount [mJ/cm²] as shown in the following Table 2 through amask pattern having 2.0 μm-square pixels each arrayed in an area of 4mm×3 mm on the substrate using an i-ray stepper (trade name:FPA-3000i5+, manufactured by Canon Inc.). After exposure, the layer wassubjected to paddle development at 23° C. for 60 seconds using adeveloper (trade name CD-2000, 60%, manufactured by Fujifilm ElectronicMaterials Co., Ltd.) to form a colored pattern. The colored pattern wasthen rinsed with flowing water for 20 seconds and subjected to spraydrying.

The whole silicon wafer on which the colored pattern had been formed wasirradiated with ultraviolet radiation (post-exposure) at an irradiationamount [mJ/cm²] shown in the following Table 2 using a high pressuremercury lamp (trade name: UMA-802-HC552FFAL, manufactured by UshioInc.). After the irradiation, the silicon wafer was subjected topost-baking treatment on a hot plate at 220° C. for 300 seconds toaccelerate curing of the colored pattern on the silicon wafer. The lightat a wavelength of 275 nm or less included in the irradiation light fromthe high pressure mercury lamp was 10%.

In this way, a monochromatic color filter was prepared.

3. Evaluation of Color Transfer

A solution of a primer transparent agent (trade name: CT-2000L,manufactured by manufactured by Fujifilm Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.)was applied onto the surface, on which the colored pattern had beenformed, of the monochromatic color filter prepared as above so that thedried film thickness became 1 μm, and dried to form a transparent film,and the film was subjected to heat treatment at 200° C. for 5 minutes.After the heating was completed, the absorbance of the transparent filmadjacent to the colored pattern was measured using MCPD-3000 (tradename: manufactured by Otsuka Electron Co., Ltd.). The ratio [%] of theobtained absorbance value of the transparent film to the absorbance ofthe colored pattern that was measured in a similar manner prior to theheating was calculated, and was used as an index for evaluating colortransfer.

A color transfer of 3% or less may be considered to be in an allowablerange in practice.

4. Evaluation of Residue on Pixel

A coating resist liquid for evaluation of residue, which was prepared bythe following method, was applied using a spin coater onto the surface,on which the colored pattern had been formed, of the monochromatic colorfilter prepared as above so that the dried film thickness became 1 μm,and pre-baked at 100° C. for 120 seconds, and the layer was subjected topaddle development at 23° C. for 60 seconds using a developer (tradename: CD-2060, manufactured by Fujifilm Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.).The colored pattern was then rinsed with flowing water for 20 secondsand subjected to spray drying. The developing residue (adheredsubstance) remained on the pixel was then observed using SEM (tradename: S-4800, manufactured by Hitachi Corporation).

(Preparation of Coating Resist Liquid for Evaluating Residue)

—Kneading and Dispersing Treatment—

The components of the following composition A were kneaded using akneader for 30 minutes. After kneading, the composition was furthersubjected to high viscosity disperse treatment using two rolls. Theviscosity of the dispersion at that time was 70,000 mPa·s. The weightaverage molecular weight of the alkali-soluble resin was obtained bymeasuring the molecular weight in the resin solution by GPC method andconverting it into a polystyrene-converted weight average molecularweight.

[Composition A]

Pigment Red 254 27 parts Pigment Yellow 139  4 parts PGMEA solution ofbenzyl methacrylate (BzMA)/methacrylic 22 parts acid (MAA) copolymer(molar ratio of BzMA/MAA = 70/30, Mw: 30000, solid content: 50%)Dispersing agent (trade name: BY-161, manufactured by BYK)  2 parts

—Microdispersion Treatment—

The components of the following composition B were added to thedispersion obtained as above, and stirred using a homogenizer under acondition of 3000 rpm for 3 hours. The obtained mixed solution wassubjected to microdispersion treatment using a beads dispersing machine(trade name: DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) using 0.3 μm zirconiabeads for 4 hours. The viscosity of the mixed solution at that time was20 mPa·s.

[Composition B]

PGMEA solution of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA)/methacrylic  22 parts acid(MAA) copolymer (molar ratio of BzMA/MAA = 70/30, Mw: 30000, solidcontent 50%) PGMEA 200 parts

—High Pressure Dispersing Treatment—

The mixed solution obtained as above was subjected to a dispersiontreatment under a pressure of 2,000 kg/cm³ at a flow rate of 500 g/minusing a vacuum mechanism-equipped high-pressure disperser (trade name:NANO-3000-10, manufactured by Nihon B. E. E. Co., Ltd.). Thishigh-pressure dispersion treatment was repeated 10 times to obtain adispersion liquid.

The components of the following composition C were added to thedispersion liquid obtained as above, and mixed by stirring to prepare acoating resist liquid for evaluating a residue.

[Composition C]

Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (photopolymerizable monomer)  27 parts4-[o-bromo-p-N,N-di(ethoxycarbonyl)aminophenyl]  4 parts2,6-di(trichloromethyl)-S-triazine (photopolymerization initiator)Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 150 parts

The evaluation criteria of the developing residue (adhered substance)remained on the pixel evaluated as above is as follows.

A: Residue was not observed at all.

B: Residue was slightly observed (the residues on the pixel were lowerthan 5, which was at an acceptable level in practice)

C: Residue was observed (the residues on the pixel were 5 or more)

Examples 54 to 79

The monochromatic color filters of Examples 54 to 79 were prepared inmanners similar to Examples 28 to 53 except that irradiation ofultraviolet radiation using a high pressure mercury lamp (trade name:UMA-802-HC552FFAL, manufactured by Ushio Inc.) (post-exposure) was notperformed in Examples 28 to 53. The specific complexes andphthalocyanine pigments included in the colored curable compositions ofExamples 54 to 79 are shown in the following Table 4.

For the obtained monochromatic color filters, color transfer andresidues on the pixels were evaluated in similar manners to Examples 28to 53. The results are shown in Table 4.

Comparative Examples 6 to 10

Colored curable compositions similar to those of Comparative Examples 1to 5 were prepared. The color materials (pigments and dyes) included inthe colored curable compositions of Comparative Examples 6 to 10 areshown in the following Table 5.

Using these colored curable compositions, the monochromatic colorfilters in Comparative Examples 6 to 10 were prepared in similar mannersto Examples 28 to 53.

For the obtained monochromatic color filters, color transfer andresidues on the pixels were evaluated in similar manners to Examples 28to 53. The results were shown in Table 5.

TABLE 3 Irradiation Irradiation amount in amount in pattern post ColorSpecific Phthalocyanine exposure exposure transfer Residues complexpigment (mJ/cm²) (mJ/cm²) (%) on pixel Example 28 Ia-5 Pigment Blue-15:6450 10000 0 A Example 29 Ia-21 Pigment Blue-15:6 450 10000 0 A Example30 Ia-31 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 10000 0 A Example 31 Ia-A PigmentBlue-15:6 450 10000 0 A Example 32 II-1 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 10000 0 AExample 33 II-2 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 10000 0 A Example 34 II-4 PigmentBlue-15:6 500 10000 0 A Example 35 II-A Pigment Blue-15:6 400 10000 0 AExample 36 III-1 Pigment Blue-15:6 500 10000 0 A Example 37 III-3Pigment Blue-15:6 500 10000 0 A Example 38 III-5 Pigment Blue-15:6 60010000 0 A Example 39 III-A Pigment Blue-15:6 450 10000 0 A Example 40III-45 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 10000 0 A Example 41 III-47 PigmentBlue-15:6 400 10000 0 A Example 42 III-65 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 10000 0A Example 43 III-68 Pigment Blue-15:6 350 10000 0 A Example 44 III-69Pigment Blue-15:6 550 10000 0 A Example 45 III-70 Pigment Blue-15:6 40010000 0 A Example 46 III-B Pigment Blue-15:6 10000 10000 0 A Example 47III-90 Pigment Blue-15:6 350 10000 0 A Example 48 III-93 PigmentBlue-15:6 350 10000 0 A Example 49 III-C Pigment Blue-15:6 350 10000 0 AExample 50 III-5 Pigment Blue-15 450 10000 0 A Example 51 III-5 PigmentBlue-15:3 450 10000 0 A Example 52 III-47 Pigment Blue-15 450 10000 0 AExample 53 III-47 Pigment Blue-15:3 550 10000 0 A

TABLE 4 Irradiation Irradiation amount in amount in pattern post ColorSpecific Phthalocyanine exposure exposure transfer Residues complexpigment (mJ/cm²) (mJ/cm²) (%) on pixel Example 54 Ia-5 Pigment Blue-15:6450 None 3 B Example 55 Ia-21 Pigment Blue-15:6 450 None 3 B Example 56Ia-31 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 None 2 B Example 57 Ia-A Pigment Blue-15:6450 None 3 B Example 58 II-1 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 None 1 B Example 59II-2 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 None 3 B Example 60 II-4 Pigment Blue-15:6500 None 3 B Example 61 II-A Pigment Blue-15:6 400 None 2 B Example 62III-1 Pigment Blue-15:6 500 None 2 B Example 63 III-3 Pigment Blue-15:6500 None 2 B Example 64 III-5 Pigment Blue-15:6 600 None 2 B Example 65III-A Pigment Blue-15:6 450 None 1 B Example 66 III-45 Pigment Blue-15:6400 None 1 B Example 67 III-47 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 None 3 B Example 68III-65 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 None 3 B Example 69 III-68 PigmentBlue-15:6 350 None 3 B Example 70 III-69 Pigment Blue-15:6 550 None 3 BExample 71 III-70 Pigment Blue-15:6 400 None 3 B Example 72 III-BPigment Blue-15:6 10000 None 3 B Example 73 III-90 Pigment Blue-15:6 350None 2 B Example 74 III-93 Pigment Blue-15:6 350 None 1 B Example 75III-C Pigment Blue-15:6 350 None 3 B Example 76 III-5 Pigment Blue-15450 None 3 B Example 77 III-5 Pigment Blue-15:3 450 None 3 B Example 78III-47 Pigment Blue-15 450 None 2 B Example 79 III-47 Pigment Blue-15:3550 None 3 B

TABLE 5 Irradiation Irradiation Specific Phthalocyanine amount in amountin complex or pigment or pattern post Color Comparative Comparativeexposure exposure transfer Residues colorant A colorant B (mJ/cm²)(mJ/cm²) (%) on pixel Comparative III-47 — 400 None 9 C Example 6Comparative C.I. Acid — 600 None 13 C Example 7 Violet-17 ComparativeIII-47 CB-34 350 None 7 C Example 8 Comparative C.I. Acid Pigment 500None 11 B Example 9 Violet-17 Blue-15:6 Comparative Pigment Pigment 250None 0 C Example 10 Violet-23 Blue-15:6

According to Examples 28 to 53 described in Table 3, it is recognizedthat color transfer is decreased and residues are difficult to begenerated on the pixels by performing the step of post-exposure byultraviolet radiation irradiation (step (C)) and the step of heattreatment (step (D)) during the production of the color filter using thecolored curable composition of the invention. Therefore, it isrecognized that color transfer to adjacent pixels and layers to belaminated is suppressed by applying the above-mentioned productionmethod to the colored curable composition of the invention.

Furthermore, it was also recognized that color transfer to adjacentpixels and/or residues on pixels were generated and practical use wasdifficult when post-exposure by ultraviolet radiation irradiation wasnot performed in the cases of the colored curable composition ofComparative Examples 6 to 10.

Example 80 Preparation of Colored Curable Composition

The colored curable composition of Example 80 was prepared with thefollowing composition.

Pigment Blue-15:6 dispersion liquid 33.90 parts (solid contentconcentration: 17.7%, pigment concentration: 11.8%) Specific complex(Exemplified compound IV-A) 1.60 parts Polymerizable compound:pentaerythritol tetraacrylate 6.26 parts Photopolymerization initiator:2-(o-chlorophenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazolyl dimer 0.271 partsPhotopolymerization initiator: 1,2-octanedione, 0.622 parts1-[4-(phenylthio)-,2-(O-benzoyloxime)] (trade name: IRGACURE OXE01,manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals) Sensitizing dye:4,4′-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone 0.277 parts Hydrogen donatingcompound: 2-mercaptobenzothiazole 0.380 parts Alkali soluble resin:Benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, molar 13.22 parts ratio= 70:30, Mw: 10000, 30% solid content solution (solvent: PGMEA) Epoxycompound: EPICLON 695 (trade name, manufactured by DIC Corporation) 0.60parts Polymerization inhibitor (p-methoxyphenol) 0.003 parts Surfactant(trade name: MEGAFAC F482, manufactured by DIC Corporation) 0.02 partsSolvent: PGMEA 42.85 parts

<Preparation of Color Filter Using Colored Curable Composition>

The above obtained colored curable composition (color resist liquid) wasapplied onto a glass substrate having a size of 100 mm×100 mm (tradename: 1737, manufactured by Corning Inc.) using a spin coater so thatthe dry film thickness became 2.2 μm, and pre-baked (dried in an oven at100° C. for 80 seconds). Thereafter, the whole surface of the coatingfilm was exposed at 100 mJ/cm² (illuminance 20 mW/cm²), and the coatingfilm after exposure was covered with 1% aqueous solution of alkalideveloping liquid CDK-1 (trade name, manufactured by Fujifilm ElectronicMaterials Co., Ltd.) and allowed to stand still for 60 seconds. Afterthe standing still, the developing liquid on the coating film was washedaway by a shower of pure water. Then, the coating film to which exposureand development had been carried out as above was subjected to a heatingtreatment in an oven at 200° C. for 0.5 hours (post-baking) to prepare acolor filter substrate (color filter).

The color filter substrate was irradiate with a xenon lamp at 100,000lux for 20 hours (corresponding to 2,000,000 lux·h). The colordifference (ΔE*ab value) of the monochromatic color filter before andafter irradiation with the xenon lamp was measured with MCPD-3000 (tradename: manufactured by Otsuka Electron Co., Ltd.), and used as an indexof light resistance. The smaller the ΔE*ab value is, the better thelight resistance is, and the evaluation criteria is as follows.

—Evaluation Criteria—

A: ΔE*ab value <1

B: 1≦ΔE*ab value <3

C: ΔE*ab value ≦10

D: 10<ΔE*ab value

The storage stability was evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1.These results are shown in Table 6.

Example 81 Preparation of Colored Curable Composition

The colored curable composition of Example 81 was prepared with thefollowing composition, and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 80.

Pigment Blue-15:6 dispersion liquid 33.90 parts (solid contentconcentration: 17.7%, pigment concentration: 11.8%) Specific complex(Exemplified compound IV-A)  1.60 parts Polymerizable compound:pentaerythritol tetraacrylate  3.13 parts Polymerizable compound:Ethoxylated bisphenol A diacrylate (trade name:  3.13 parts A-BPE-20,manufacture by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) Photopolymerizationinitiator: 2-(o-chlorophenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazolyl dimer 0.271 partsPhotopolymerization initiator: IRGACURE OXE01 (trade name, manufacturedby 0.622 parts Ciba Specialty Chemicals) Sensitizing dye:4,4′-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone 0.277 parts Hydrogen donatingcompound: 2-mercaptobenzothiazole 0.380 parts Alkali soluble resin:Benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, molar 13.22 parts ratio= 70:30, Mw: 10000, 30% solid content solution (solvent: PGMEA) Epoxycompound: EPICLON 695 (trade name, manufactured by DIC Corporation) 0.60 parts Polymerization inhibitor (p-methoxyphenol) 0.003 partsSurfactant (trade name: MEGAFAC F482, manufactured by DIC Corporation) 0.02 parts Solvent: PGMEA 42.85 parts

Example 82 Preparation of Colored Curable Composition

The colored curable composition of Example 82 was prepared with thefollowing composition, and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 80.

Pigment Blue-15:6 dispersion liquid 33.90 parts  (solid contentconcentration: 17.7%, pigment concentration: 11.8%) Specific complex(Exemplified compound IV-A) 1.60 parts Polymerizable compound:pentaerythritol tetraacrylate 4.25 parts Photopolymerization initiator:Oxime photopolymerization initiator used in 3.47 parts Example 1 Alkalisoluble resin: Benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, molar12.21 parts  ratio = 70:30, Mw: 10000, 30% solid content solution(solvent: PGMEA) Epoxy compound: EPICLON 695 (trade name, manufacturedby DIC Corporation) 1.00 parts Polymerization inhibitor(p-methoxyphenol) 0.002 parts  Surfactant (trade name: MEGAFAC F482,manufactured by DIC Corporation) 0.02 parts Solvent: PGMEA 43.56 parts 

Example 83

The photocurable composition obtained in Example 82 (color resistliquid) was applied onto a glass substrate having a size of 100 mm×100mm (trade name: 1737, manufactured by Corning Inc.) using a spin coaterso that the film thickness became 2.2 μm, and pre-baked (dried in anoven at 100° C. for 80 seconds).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive resin composition layerwas subjected to pulse irradiation at about 1 mJ/cm² twenty times usinga laser exposure apparatus EGIS (trade name, manufactured by VTechnology Co., Ltd., third harmonic of YAG laser, wavelength: 355 nm,pulse width: 6 nsec) through a photo mask having a line width of 20 μm.

The coating film after exposure was covered with 1% aqueous solution ofalkali developing liquid CDK-1 (trade name, manufactured by FujifilmElectronic Materials Co., Ltd.) and allowed to stand still for 60seconds. After the standing still, the developing liquid on the coatingfilm was washed away by a shower of pure water. Then, the coating filmto which exposure and development had been carried out as above wassubjected to a heating treatment in an oven at 200° C. for 0.5 hours(post-baking) to prepare a color filter substrate (color filter).

The color filter substrate was irradiate with a xenon lamp at 100,000lux for 20 hours (corresponding to 2,000,000 lux·h). The colordifference (ΔE*ab value) of the monochromatic color filter before andafter irradiation with the xenon lamp was measured with amicrospectrophotometer (trade name: OSP100, manufactured by OlympusCorporation) at a pinhole diameter of 5 μm, and used as an index oflight resistance. The smaller the ΔE*ab value is, the better the lightresistance is, and the evaluation criteria is as follows. The resultsare shown in Table 6.

—Evaluation Criteria—

A: ΔE*ab value <1

B: 1≦ΔE*ab value <3

C: 3≦ΔE*ab value ≦10

D: 10<ΔE*ab value

The storage stability was evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1.These results are shown in Table 6.

Example 84 Preparation of Colored Curable Composition

The colored curable composition of Example 84 was prepared with thefollowing composition and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 80except that the film thickness of the colored curable composition layerafter drying was 3.3 μm.

Pigment Blue-15:6 dispersion liquid 22.64 parts  (solid contentconcentration: 17.7%, pigment concentration: 11.8%) Specific complex(Exemplified compound IV-A) 1.07 parts Polymerizable compound:pentaerythritol tetraacrylate 5.15 parts Photopolymerization initiator:Oxime photopolymerization initiator used in 3.22 parts Example 1 Alkalisoluble resin: Benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, molar18.45 parts  ratio = 70:30, Mw: 10000, 30% solid content solution(solvent: PGMEA) Epoxy compound: EPICLON 695 (trade name, manufacturedby DIC Corporation) 1.00 parts Polymerization inhibitor(p-methoxyphenol) 0.003 parts  Surfactant (trade name: MEGAFAC F482,manufactured by DIC Corporation) 0.02 parts Solvent: PGMEA 48.46 parts 

TABLE 6 Specific Phthalocyanine Storage complex pigment Light resistancestability Example 80 IV-A Pigment Blue-15:6 A A Example 81 IV-A PigmentBlue-15:6 A A Example 82 IV-A Pigment Blue-15:6 A A Example 83 IV-APigment Blue-15:6 A A Example 84 IV-A Pigment Blue-15:6 A A

From the results shown in Tables 1, 2 and 6, it is understood that thecolored curable composition of the invention is excellent in storagestability and may form a color filter having good light resistance.

All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentionedin this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each individual publication, patent application, ortechnical standard was specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference.

1. A colored curable composition comprising at least (A-1) a compoundrepresented by the following formula (II-2) or the following formula(III), (A-2) a phthalocyanine pigment, (B) a dispersing agent, (C) apolymerizable compound, (D) a photopolymerization initiator, and (E) anorganic solvent:

wherein, in formula (II-2), R¹ to R⁶ and R⁸ to R¹³ each independentlyrepresent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R⁷ and R¹⁴ eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group,an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; and Ma represents a metal atom ora metal compound;

wherein, in formula (III), R² to R⁵ each independently represent ahydrogen atom or a substituent; R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogenatom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; Marepresents a metal atom or a metal compound; X³ represents NR (wherein Rrepresents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an arylgroup, a heterocyclic group, an acyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group or anarylsulfonyl group), a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom;X⁴ represents NRa (wherein Ra represents a hydrogen atom, an alkylgroup, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an acylgroup, an alkylsulfonyl group or an arylsulfonyl group), an oxygen atomor a sulfur atom; Y¹ represents NRc (wherein Rc represents a hydrogenatom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclicgroup, an acyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group or an arylsulfonyl group),a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom; Y² represents a nitrogen atom or acarbon atom; R⁸ and R⁹ each independently represent an alkyl group, analkenyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an alkoxy group, anaryloxy group, an alkylamino group, an arylamino group or a heterocyclicamino group; R⁸ and Y¹ may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6- or7-membered ring; R⁹ and Y² may bond to each other to form a 5-, 6- or7-membered ring; X⁵ represents a group capable of bonding to Ma; and arepresents 0, 1 or
 2. 2. The colored curable composition of claim 1,wherein the (D) photopolymerization initiator is an oxime compound. 3.The colored curable composition of claim 1, wherein the metal atom orthe metal compound is any one of Fe, Zn, Co, VαO or Cu.
 4. The coloredcurable composition of claim 1, wherein each of R³, R⁴, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ informula (II-2) and each of R³ and R⁴ in formula (III) is a phenyl group.5. A method for producing a color filter, comprising: (A) applying thecolored curable composition of claim 1 onto a support to form a coloredcurable composition layer, and (B) exposing the colored curablecomposition layer formed in (A) via a mask, and developing the layer toform a colored pattern.
 6. The method for producing a color filter ofclaim 5, further comprising: (C) irradiating the colored pattern formedin (B) with ultraviolet radiation, and (D) subjecting the coloredpattern on which ultraviolet radiation has been irradiated in (C) toheat treatment.
 7. A color filter produced by the method for producing acolor filter of claim
 5. 8. A solid-state image pickup device comprisingthe color filter of claim
 7. 9. A liquid crystal display devicecomprising the color filter of claim 7.